Today’s guest post is brought to you by the super fun Allison from Alli-n-son. Meanwhile, I am busy getting ready to jump into this conference business. Just a few more hours!
I’ve never been good at letting lose, especially around new people, or people that I don’t see often, or sometimes even good friends. I’m always aware of other people around me. I don’t like to make a fool out of myself. I don’t like to be laughed at. I don’t want to be seen as a complete idiot. So I censor myself a little bit. No crazy dances, no outrageous expressions, nothing too out of character. Well, except for the occasional full belly out burst. But all of that changed once I had my son.
Recently the kiddo and I tried out a new toddler class at our local YMCA. It involved singing, dancing and other methods for mommas to, basically, embarrass the crap out of themselves. When I first found out about the class I thought it would be amazing, so much fun for the kiddo. But I also thought that the kids would be doing the activity.
I had no idea that the mommas were encouraged expected to join in too.
We showed up right on time…err, maybe a few minutes late. Me in jeans a tee shirt and a sweater (it was cooooold outside). You know, the perfect clothes for dancing in.
We tip toed our way in, hoping that no one would notice our late arrival, and plopped our stuff down on the side. I shoed the kiddo out to the middle, when, to my horror, I realized that the mommas were out there too. And they were dancing. And singing. And flailing their arms around like crazy women.
I would have been more than happy to sit on the sidelines and let the other mommas take all of the glory. Unfortunately for me, the kiddo would not budge an inch without me by his side. Sigh. I grabbed him by the hand and off we went.
It took only a moment, but I gave in. I danced and sang, waved my arms in the air and hopped around the room like a froggy. I felt ridiculous and was getting all of the moves wrong. I was terribly worried about what the other mommas thought. That is, until I looked up and saw their faces. They didn’t care if I didn’t know all of the dance moves. They didn’t care that I wasn’t dressed for the occasion. Heck, they were barely even paying attention to me. They were just enjoying their time with the kids. And yes, I even saw one or two take a wrong step or clap their hands at the wrong time.
Instantly I relaxed and let the music take over. I jumped the crap out of being a froggy. I waved as high as my tip toes would reach. And I swam around the room like a little orange Nemo.
I danced like no one was watching.
I had a blast.
And best of all, the kiddo got a kick out of it.
Little by little I’m learning to get out of my comfort zone and to enjoy and cherish these moments. I actually sing out loud in public now – if it helps prevent a tantrum. Or sometimes just because it’s fun. I give kisses and snuggles freely, any time, any place. I play the “ahh ahh, shh” game when we go grocery shopping, often shouted at the top of my lungs. Well, maybe not at the top. I often hold entire conversations with the kiddo, who sometimes even answers me, while we’re out shopping. And now I hop, sing and swim around a room full of toddlers and their moms without giving it a second thought.
I think it’s a good thing, something that I’m thankful for. It gets me out of my shell a little, and I’m learning that you can be super ultra silly, and still be taken seriously as an adult.
It’s about time I learned that.
Allison is a slightly OCD momma (yes, you do have to eat M&Ms in pairs of matching colors) who blogs over at Alli ‘n Son. She’s a wanna-be photographer, gourmet chef and highly creative woman, all rolled into one.
© 2010, Food Fun Family. All rights reserved.
Is there any other way to eat M&Ms?
.-= Allison´s last undefined ..Response cached until Mon 31 @ 20:33 GMT (Refreshes in 59 Minutes) =-.
It was. He’s still froggy hopping around the house.
.-= Allison´s last undefined ..Response cached until Mon 31 @ 20:33 GMT (Refreshes in 59 Minutes) =-.
Ha! I think that would perfect fine. :-)
.-= Allison´s last blog ..A Stroll =-.
Sometimes all it takes to let down your guard is a little frog-hopping. (And M&Ms in matching-color pairs?? Absolutely!) =>
.-= Stacia´s last blog ..They Are My Sunshine =-.
I would have a hard time letting go too, but it sounds like you had a blast!
.-= amber´s last blog ..Tori Walks! =-.
I’ll bet it was such a highlight for him, too!
.-= angie´s last blog ..Lost in Translation =-.
Sounds like an amazing class – would it be weird to take it even though I don’t have any kids?
Hilarious story! I love it!
.-= Andrea´s last blog ..Ameya & Mihika – Children Session =-.