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Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Dancing With My Daughter


I am the best dancer my daughter knows. In fact, as far as she is concerned, I am the greatest dancer in the whole world. I know all the dances. I know "fast feet" (that's the one where you move your feet really fast). I know "clap your hands" (that’s the one where you clap your hands). I know the "daddy may have left a large portion of his pinky toe on the ottoman and is currently trying not to cry while simultaneously trying not to teach his word-sponge of a daughter easily pronounceable, single-syllable words that rhyme with 'truck' and 'punt'" dance... (That's her favorite one, by the way. She laughs and laughs and laughs…. Because it's SOOOOOOO FREAKING FUNNY).

It started when I was talking to my grandma the other day. My grandmother is THE matriarch of the family. She is tough as nails, resilient as a rubber band, and able to say more in a sentence than most say in a life time. When I got my first job she wrote me a letter telling me how important honesty was to an employer and how I should never steal, no matter what the temptation - even if I knew I would never get caught. I was a rebellious little shit at the time, and to be honest I probably would have filled my pockets had it not been for that letter. But I knew the grave consequences that awaited me if I did. My grandma would be disappointed in me. That's it. She wouldn't have smacked me upside the head, or called the police. She just would have been sad. She is just that lovable… and remarkably powerful.

She's always got good advice like that, which is what I was expecting when I talked to her the other day. Keep your kids off drugs. Teach them to read before kindergarten. Always know where you are financially and always make a budget. Instead she said "Johnny, (she still calls me Johnny) you be sure to dance with that little girl. You dance with her as much as you can. Kids love dancing with their parents." And so I did. I started dancing with my daughter whenever possible.

And by God, she was right. My kid loves dancing with me. And I love dancing with my kid. I don't care if I look like a bearded hippo trying to relocate his shoulder like Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon, she laughs and then tries to do it too. The way we communicate while dancing is, in some ways, better than talking. It's more immediate. I put my hands up, and she puts her hand up. I pat my belly. She pats her belly. I clench my foot in my hand, scream, fall to the ground and roll around mumbling obscenities… and she laughs. The little shit laughs. Still, I get back up and dance some more. It's just that much fun.

I'm still going to teach her to read and make a budget. I'm still going to teach her to be kind and loving and to never steal from her future employer. I'm pretty sure my grandma knew I had already planned to teach my kids those things. Never in a million years did I think I'd teach my daughter to dance. And that my friends, is why she told me to do it. My grandma is a very smart woman. I hope my daughter inherited some of her genes. Thanks Grandma.

Dancing like no one is watching (dear God please don't let anyone be watching), 

Dad

Dancing With My Daughter



P.S. I can't post about dancing without showing off my nephew's sick dancing skills. I can only hope to someday be as truly awesome as he is.








14 comments:

  1. This post brought a tear to my eye! That is excellent advice! I'll have to remember to dance with my kids... when I have them, that is.

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    1. See Whit, you have the distinct advantage of already knowing how to dance. Kid-yet-to-be-conceived is going to have a great time dancing with you!

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  2. This has encouraged me to do some dancing with my daughter. We always enjoy the silly stuff, but have surprisingly not done much dancing! Good read.

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    1. Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed it. You'll enjoy dancing with your kid even more!

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  3. this is what I do for a living! a long time ago dancing with my kids..ok still do at times.., now dancing with others kids. i have the best job ever!!!

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  4. omg, this boy is so adorable. amazing skills!
    it's a great thing to teach kids dance very early

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  5. You have the luckiest kids ever. I have not been as lucky to have a father like you - but I do count myself lucky to have a great mom.

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  6. I've never danced with my daughter. Which makes sense, because I am not a dad. In fact, I am not a parent. And to further my point I am not old enough to watch porn. I'm a 15 year old girl. And I cannot in any way relate to your blog posts, about circumcision (I don't know why I read that so intently), having road trips with kids, and the joys of dancing with a child. But I've spent the last 2 hours reading all of your posts and now this blog is bookmarked on my computer. It's so heartwarming, just reading all these things you say about your daughter and the "bun" with what you so pleasantly called "berries." I'm not even close to being a parent and this makes me so happy, Mr. K you must be the awesomest dad ever. I don't know what to say. Congratulations on being awesome? Please don't stop writing? Okay thank you. Wow it's way past my bedtime!

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  7. Your nephew reminds me of the penguin in happy feet! So cute! I have just found your blog as well through your hypothetical gay son post and I must say, hats off to you! As a daughter of an amazing dad, I am so happy that you already have a great bond with your daughter! These little things are what daughters remember and will cherish when they are older :)

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  8. Great job John. Another piece of awesomeness. Did anyone ever tell you you're a pretty damn good writer? Keep it up sport. And keep dancing....

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  9. Oh, and another thought...just wait until you get to dance with her at her wedding, dad...

    Both my daughters savagely plotted against me at their weddings. Their ENTIRE purpose was to make dad bawl like a baby while he danced with his daughters, and they where evily successful. Wouldn't have it any other way.

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    1. Ha! I am a cry baby. I stopped trying not to years ago. I can't even imagine how much I'll cry at my daughter's wedding.

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  10. Dancing with your kids has to be one of the best things about parenting, hands down!

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  11. Wow! Lovely post. I really like this post. The baby is adorable. Dance Agencies London

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