Mom goes dancing - and dad?

Nightlife and family - Mom goes dancing - and dad?

Crowded dancing Women celebrating in a nightclub in Nuremberg. At the DJ's signal, they raise their hands high and sing loudly. This is not unusual. What is unusual, however, is the time: It's only 8:30 PM, and the party is already sold out. Unusual as well is the fact that only women are present - many of them mothers with small children, but not just.

"Mama goes dancing" is the name of the party series that brings women to dance in many cities in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland for three hours in the early evening. The end is usually around 11 PM, so that they can still be in bed before midnight and not have to drag themselves through the next day due to family programs.

"Mama-time" instead of diaper changing

"I find the time unbeatable," says Steffi, who is celebrating with three friends at the party in Nuremberg. The 46-year-old has two children and has been to "Mama goes dancing" for the second time. "This is my Mama-time." Judith, who has children aged 10 and 13, shares the same sentiment. "Tomorrow I still have math and English lessons waiting for me." They particularly like the fact that there are no men at the party. "I can dance around as I please - without being a nuisance," Judith looks at her figure-hugging outfit.

The idea for "Mama goes dancing" came from Anna Schumacher and Andrea Rücker from Wuppertal. Both are mothers of young children who wanted to go out and party again, but found that discos and nightclubs opened too late. "It has always annoyed me that my children sleep soundly just when I'm sitting at home waiting for something to start," Schumacher recalls. So the two friends organized their own party in Wuppertal.

From an idea to a movement

"It was never intended that it would become a series or anything big," says the 28-year-old Schumacher. The response was so good that they soon organized the next party and eventually came to franchise other cities through a system. "Mama goes dancing" now exists, according to Schumacher, in 110 cities in the German-speaking world, organized by about 30 women.

Early partying to be able to go to bed early - this concept is known mainly from Afterwork parties. However, these only take place during the week and usually start in the late afternoon or early evening - just when many families are busy with homework, sports, music lessons, dinner, and getting the children to bed.

New nightlife behavior

But even on weekends, many people don't want to go to the disco only after midnight and dance until morning. Many nightclubs have realized this. "There are just so many things that happen during the day," says Lutz Leichsenring from the Clubcommission, the network of Berlin's club culture. "The Corona pandemic has particularly accelerated the fact that people have gotten used to other party rhythms." According to him, all major clubs in the capital have opened during the day on weekends.

Additionally, there are children's disco events where parents can dance while their children are occupied, says Leichsenring. The Augustinerkeller in Munich offers childcare on Sundays, allowing parents to enjoy the beer garden in peace. Events that start early are on the way, confirmed Axel Ballreich, managing director of the Association of Live Music Venues Livekomm. "That appeals to everyone who wants to be in bed by 1.00, 2.00 am at night." Older people are included in this as well.

Discrimination and outdated role models?

But why does it need an extra format just for mothers? And what about the fathers who get up at night to change diapers or give bottles? On the internet, there are not only enthusiastic comments about "Mama goes dancing" but also criticism. Some find it discriminatory that men are excluded. Others object to the name "Mama goes dancing," which they believe reduces women to their role as mothers.

"We are often accused of promoting a 1950s role model," confirmed Schumacher. Originally, the idea was to create something for breastfeeding mothers because they were in that situation themselves, explained she. "That had nothing to do with our husbands." Schumacher and Rücker are both employed and founded "Mama goes dancing" in their free time - while their husbands gave them their backs, as Schumacher explained. That doesn't help, however, when the baby cries at the breast and can't be soothed otherwise.

Men are completely excluded from "Mama goes dancing" neither. "They can come as companions of their partner and if they are clear that it is not a flirt platform," said Schumacher. That men still stay away from the Mama parties is not surprising. "We celebrate with 99% women," said Schumacher. However, what about a party just for fathers or for parents in general? No topic for the two founders: "That can be done by others," said Schumacher.

In Wuppertal, the concept of "Mama goes dancing" was born from the frustration of two mothers who wanted to party during their leisure time but found nightclubs opening too late.
The party series 'Mama goes dancing' has gained popularity in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, as well as in Austria and Switzerland, offering women a three-hour leisure time in the early evening.
Judith, a mother of two, attended the 'Mama goes dancing' event in Nuremberg, celebrating her 'Mama-time' before returning home to tackle her children's math and English lessons the next day.
Steffi, another mother, appreciated the early leisure time offered by 'Mama goes dancing' in Nuremberg, allowing her to dance without interruptions and Hassles usually associated with men in nightclubs.
The concept of early nightlife parties has been popularized by 'Mama goes dancing' and 'Afterwork' parties, appealing to those who want to go to bed early and enjoy their weekends.
In Bavaria, some nightclubs and venues offer children's disco events, allowing parents to dance while their children are occupied, following the trend of family-friendly nightlife experiences.
Lutz Leichsenring, from the Clubcommission, believes that the introduction of early-starting events in nightlife will appeal to older people who want to enjoy their leisure time without staying up late into the night.
Critics argue that events such as 'Mama goes dancing' promote outdated role models and discriminate against men, arguing that they should also be allowed to take care of their children while having fun.
Despite the controversy, 'Mama goes dancing' organizers have no plans to expand the events to include fathers or become more inclusive, allowing other groups to create events that cater to their specific needs.