Growing up in dance and then starting to cheer after I left dance when I was 18, I can truly say that dance moms are nuts. I can remember multiple times where moms made other kids cry, or got into fights with teachers or other parents, but none were ever as bad as the parents on Dance Moms. To be honest, I think the show should be called "Crazy Insane Dance Teacher." The woman is nuts. I had a studio owner/choreographer almost exactly like her (including the deep voice and body shape) for 10 years, and she absolutely terrified me.
Cheer coaches can get mad, but the six year old inside me will never be as terrified of a coach as it will of Miss Abby.