It’s 5:00 a.m., your dancer is half-asleep, slowly dragging his/her feet and you’re already trying to remember if you packed the right solo costume. Sound familiar?
Competition weekends are exciting, but they can also be utter chaos if you’re not prepared. Whether it’s your first season or your fifth, here’s your guide to surviving a full dance competition weekend with your sanity (mostly) intact.
The week before competition, check off the big stuff:
Pro Tip: Create a checklist by day so you’re not scrambling the morning of.
We’re great at prepping for our dancers, but don’t forget yourself. Here’s what to stash:
You’ll thank yourself around hour six.
3. Stay Organized
Use folders, labels, or even color-coded garment bags to separate costumes by routine. Have a printed schedule on hand (because service can be spotty), and check in with your studio’s comp group chat or Remind app for updates.
4. Schedule Time to Breathe
Let’s face it—we need a break sometimes, but so do our kids. If your dancer is anything like mine, they’re probably saying, “Mom, I got it! You don’t need to hover every second.” (Ouch, right?) So take those little breaks when you can:
They’ll be okay. And so will we.
Awards can be a mix of emotions. Remind yourself and your dancer:
Cheer for every kid, not just yours. The energy you put out matters.
6. Post-Comp Recovery Is Real
Monday might hit like a crash landing, but don’t worry—you’ve earned some recovery time. Set yourself up for a smoother start with:
You and your dancer showed up, gave it your all, and now it’s time to recharge!
Bonus: Grab your Free Competition Weekend Survival Planner!
Stay on track with packing, scheduling, and more. Click Dance Comp Weekend Planner to download and start prepping like a pro.
