10 Thoughts Every Dance Mom Has During Awards

If you’ve ever sat through a dance competition awards ceremony, you know it’s a very specific experience.

By the time awards roll around, the day has usually been long. The dancers have already performed, costumes have been quick-changed in hallways, hair has survived approximately seventeen bobby pins, and everyone is running on a mix of adrenaline, snacks, and caffeine.

The theater is full of excited dancers, tired parents, and studio teams all waiting to hear their numbers called.

And while every dancer is focused on the stage…

Every dance mom in the audience is having the exact same internal dialogue.

Here are just a few thoughts that definitely cross our minds during awards.

1. “How many awards categories are there again?”

You think you understand the system.

Until they start announcing something like:

Mini Intermediate Small Group Jazz Special Judge’s Choice Overall Platinum High Gold.

And suddenly you realize this might take a while…

2. “Please let our number already be coming up.”

You know your dancer’s routine number.

You’ve memorized it.

You’re quietly repeating it in your head like a lucky charm while scanning the stage for any hint that your category is next.

3. “Should I have my camera ready… or will that jinx it?”

You start debating with yourself.

Should you have your phone out and ready?

But what if you do that and they don’t win overalls? That’ll feel awkward.

But if you put your phone away… that will absolutely be the moment they call your dancer’s number.

Dance mom logic says the safest option is to hold your phone halfway up, pretending you’re not ready but also completely ready.

4. “My dancer worked so hard this season.”

No matter what happens during awards, there’s always a moment where you think about everything that led up to this. The rehearsals, the long practices, the late nights, and the early mornings. And you feel proud of them no matter what.

5. “Why are awards always at the end of a 12-hour day?”

Everyone in the theater is tired. The dancers are tired. The parents are tired. The judges are probably tired too. But here we all are… hanging in there together until the final results are announced.

6. “Wait… how many awards are there?”

You start doing mental math. How many routines are left? How many categories are left? And then another Judge’s Special Award gets announced and you think, “I love a good special award, but are we just making new ones now so everyone gets a trophy?” Meanwhile the dancers are cheering for every single one like it’s the Olympics and honestly… that energy is pretty great.

7. “Wait… did they just say our studio?”

Suddenly your brain switches from exhausted to fully alert. Was that the routine? Did they say our dancer’s number? You lean forward like the entire room depends on your hearing.

8. “I hope my dancer feels proud of themselves.”

Because at the end of the day, awards are fun… but the real win is seeing them do what they love on stage.

9. “We still have to get everyone out of costume.”

Even when awards end, the dance parent brain is already thinking ahead. Costumes, hair, makeup, and packing everything back into the bag. The work isn’t done yet.

10. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything.”

Yes, competition days are long. Yes, awards can sometimes feel like they last forever. But watching your dancer grow, perform, and light up on stage makes every single minute worth it. Even the late-night awards ceremonies.

At the end of the day, awards are about celebrating the dancers, their hard work, and the community that comes together to support them. And if you’re a dance parent sitting through awards right now, silently counting categories and hoping your dancer’s number gets called… just know you’re definitely not the only one thinking these thoughts.

Welcome to dance competition life.

Until next time, TCDM Fam. 💙