My partner is a Dance Teacher, I wrote her business off as a life style business until I saw this post, now I wish I was as lucky as her

You start by taking your 3 year old daughter/son to dance class as something to fill an hour of their week and give them an outlet for their energy. They come home from class and continue to dance around the house, wearing a few spare scarves from your cupboard or a princess dress. They ask you everyday, 'Am I going to dancing today?'.

Next thing you know, you're complaining about the hours spent driving back and forth to the studio, the later-than-you'd-like rehearsal (on a school night?), sitting and waiting at the studio when you have a million other places to be and don't even get me started on the money - tuition, shows, workshops, shoes, costumes, more shoes. You fret and worry that a 'normal' childhood is passing them by.

They aren't on the netball or football team, they're not a runner or in the swimming team. They are rarely at the dinner table because they have classes every night of the week. Family holidays are planned around shows and theatre trips.

But before you know it, they've danced their last show and discarded their last pair of shoes and it's all over too soon. When it's all over and they've left the stage for the last time, will you remember the hours, the money, the worry of the physical toll? My guess is NO.

You will remember the gifts that dance has given to them: the ability to prioritise and multitask, a strong, flexible body, the ability to handle pressure and last minute changes, and an appreciation for music other than what's on the radio.

You will be forever grateful that you are sending your child out into the world with a strong work ethic and solid attention span. You will have a great sense of comfort knowing that your son/daughter is part of a strong circle of young women and men who are capable of lifting each other up when the road is rough, as they are out celebrating one another's triumphs.

In the end, you can pat yourself on the back because taking them to that first dance class 15 years ago was one of the best parenting decisions you could ever make.