Dealing with Betrayal (My Episode 8 Recap)

Seeing Nia’s photo at the top of the pyramid was an incredible experience!  Finally, what a triumph!!!  I was thrilled to share this moment with Nia and I was very proud of her.  She has been working hard and putting a lot of effort into her dance and her passion and joy for dance never diminished regardless of her placement on the pyramid. 

While her determination and dedication are exemplary, I was surprised to see Nia at the top of the pyramid.  She did not win a competition and I usually equate the top of the pyramid to a competition win. But her strong work ethic and perseverance paid off and Abby acknowledged her contributions to the team as well as her talents in dance.  I hope that a top placement on the pyramid will boost Nia’s confidence -   she has an incredible stage presence and I know the technique will come.  Positive recognition will produce positive results in Nia- that I am sure. 

This is just the beginning and I know great things will eventually happen for Nia.  Although I worry about the pressures that a top pyramid placement may bring, I wanted to savor this accomplishment with her and not be a “Debbie Downer”.  I did not have to wait long before the drama of a top pyramid placement began.

I was horrified to learn at the competition that Kendall was competing against Nia.  Last week they were teammates and this week they were competitors.  I did not know that Jill knew beforehand that Nia was at the top of the pyramid and was getting a solo this week.  I felt betrayed.  Jill’s actions seemed to be a direct attack on Nia -  I had always felt that my daughter was Jill’s target and Jill’s recent actions just affirmed my suspicions.  Jill’s focus was on her child solely and I think that is incredibly selfish and not part of the Dance Mom spirit.  Jill frequently said that she did not care about any of the other kids - that her focus was on Kendall and getting her ahead.  I guess I really should not have been surprised by what happened next. 

Jill’s negative behavior was not sportsmanlike and I was disappointed that my child was being used to make a point to Abby and to Cathy.  Jill is welcome to make her point about her feelings, but not at Nia’s expense -   this is a feud among adults and it is unfair that my child, who loves to dance, was used as pawn in a warped adult “game”.  I was frustrated as a mother because I could not shield my child from this set up and manipulation.  I felt that my Nia was used as a human prop to make a point and that was unfair and cruel.  Adults should know better and Jill and Cathy should be embarrassed by their poor decisions and childish behaviors.

After the competition was over, I was emotionally and mentally exhausted.  I could not deal with any more of the mama drama or the dance teacher antics - I had had enough and I was ready to go home.  I needed space and distance.  For a moment- I really despised the world of dance.  I was not disappointed in Nia’s loss (Nia knows how to be a gracious loser and learn from the experience), but I was disgusted by the behavior of the adults around me and complexities of that particular situation.

Although it was nice that Kendall won that competition, my focus was on my child and removing us from a toxic environment.  I was very upset about the events of the day and needed some time away from all of the adults related to dance. I have no regrets that I left early.  I wanted to celebrate Nia’s outstanding performance in the privacy of our home among our love ones.  I was thrilled and captivated with her dance and I could not be prouder of her accomplishment. 

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