Shell blogs at Things I Can’t Say, where she spills the truth about just how hard motherhood can be. Sometimes, when she blinks or is blogging or on twitter, her boys gorilla glue her couch, cut each other’s hair, or paint the walls red. When she isn’t pulling her hair out and laughing at her own mistakes, she pours her heart out and encourages you to join in every Wednesday.
None of us wants to be known as that mom with those kids. The mom who can’t control her crazy kids.
But, I say there is a difference between when our kids are being bad and when our kids are doing what kids do.
Or maybe that’s just because my 4 year old and 2 year old started a flash mob on their preschool field trip.
We went to go see a musical performance. And had to get there a half hour before the performance. Trying to keep small children still for that amount of time is a challenge- especially when they are surrounded by their friends.
And when the performance started, my two boys and two of their friends were dancing off to the side of the stage.
I glanced at the mom of the other two kids, to gauge her reaction. She was laughing and taking pictures of the dancing, so I relaxed a little.
Until I looked behind me and noticed the scowls on some of the other moms’ faces and the death stare from one of the preschool teachers.
And then I thought maybe I should go retrieve my children and try to get them to sit with hands folded in their seats.
But, then I really looked at where we were. We were not in an adult-performance. We were not in place where silence is expected. The auditorium was filled with 3 and 4 year-olds. The music was kid-centered: “You Are My Sunshine” and “This Little Light of Mine.”
If kids can’t dance around and sing there, then something was wrong. So, I ignored the glares and let them dance.
The performer noticed them dancing and announced that he loved it. So, my 4 year-old called out with a wave, “C’mon, guys! DANCE!”
That was all it took for a mob of preschoolers to race up front by the stage to sing and dance around. You couldn’t help but smile at their enthusiasm.
Well, I couldn’t help but smile. There were still some scowls.
But, as for me, I’ll let my kids dance.
Previous post: The Thank You Dilemma
Next post: Three Years
{ 91 comments }
You are my kind of Mama! AMEN!
Life is way too short to be sitting all stoic and stuffy in a theater! Dance! Dance. DANCE!
Next time you see those glare-ers just smile real big and hold your kids hand tightly. You are teaching them more than you can ever imagine with your attitude and outlook on life!
Life with Kaishon recently posted..We found some sun and a nerf football and it was a good day A very good day
Wonderful post, as always Shell.
I love that your kids got their entire class to dance. Future public speakers, perhaps? :)
Jenn @ South of Sheridan recently posted..Why I Hate Blog Hops
You go, girl! That’s why I love ya!
gigi recently posted..Yo- God What Up
Good for you, Shell! I’d have let my kids dance there as well :)
Jayme recently posted..Two Tidbits
I would let my kids dance too. I could understand if you were at an adult event then it would be a problem. But if you are at a kid centered place with kids music what do they expect kids to do?
Jessica recently posted..My closet is being held hostage
I love to read things like this. Joy is alive and well in the hearts and feet of preschoolers.
Renee Fisher recently posted..A Startling Prediction About the Fate of the Entire World
This is part of the reason I stopped Sunday School teaching preschool aged kids. The Preschool Sunday School Director is old school. In her opinion, the kids dancing in a preschool dance manor is distracting to the truth. Worse thing, is the program they have selected to use encourages the kids do worship songs (preschool aged). She constantly tries to change it back to the old classics that require kids to sit and sing in high pitch voices.
Oka recently posted..TTT-Unispired
Oh I love this post, we all need to relax and just let our kids be kids, see the happy and innocent in what they do and ENJOY them. Love this, Shell.
Jessica recently posted..Power
Dance, baby, DANCE! It’s so great when they are young and uninhibited, and just do what they feel.
liz recently posted..Managing the Mayhem
My kind of Momma! Way to go, Shell. Let those babies be children while they still can.
Semi-Slacker Mom recently posted..I confess
People need to lighten up and let kids be kids. Its the only time in their lives that they can be.
Jen recently posted..What Color is This
Congrats on your feature over here!!
I totally agree with you. A children’s show is for children. LET them be children!
Kmama recently posted..Update on Buster
Awesome! I’m one of those mom’s who will smile and laugh when other kids do things like that all the while trying to force my girls to sit still. I don’t know what makes me so much harder on my own kids. I need to learn to relax. Thanks for the reminder!
Absolutely they should dance! Love it. My daughter & her friend danced during the Hannah Montana movie and I’m sure she will when we go see the Justin Bieber movie too.
Mary Ann recently posted..Beauty Secrets
As much as I sometimes hate the phrase “kids will be kids”, it is often true. Good for you for ignoring the scowls and letting them have fun. That will probably be a field trip they will remember for a long time.
Evonne recently posted..Questions from a tired mind
Love this Shell. How cute of your boys! I bet the other kids couldn’t wasi to get up & dance.
Now that’s what I calling being a fantastic parent. There is a time and place for everything and when it comes to children, let them enjoy life, especially if they are not disturbing or hurting anyone around them before life gets hard to enjoy.
love it! yeah let kids be kids!
Good for you Shell! I love when the kids really get to experience something. It sounds like they had an absolute blast and that was what it was all about.
Better dancin’ than cryin’ I always say. Or something like that.
Jennifer recently posted..Lets start a movement- ItIsNotOk
Yep – let ‘em dance..there’s nothing better than watching little ones shake their groove thang ;)
Natalie recently posted..I Miss Thanksgiving Already
That’s hilarious- and people need to lighten up!! It’s not like you were at an opera or something. Let kids be kids!!
That is so sweet! I so agree. It is a children’s performance and I am sure that they expect kids to have fun like this!
Jayme (Random Blogette) recently posted..Hooker What
This post really lit up my heart up
Nicely done. They made the moment – both for themselves and everybody else there who will remember the time they went to the theater and the music was so awesome that a whole posse of kids jumped up and joined in!
Alexis recently posted..When Baby Cries Too Much – Reflux 101
Stuck up people like that need to let their kids be kids. Chances are, those are the kids who grow up to be the douchebags of society.
Let ‘em dance. Let ‘em fly a freak flag. Let ‘em be little for a little while longer.
Great post today!!!!
Crayon Wrangler recently posted..Tea Party With A Wolf
Can I tell you how much I love this? Because I LOVE this!!
So much fun, confidence, happiness, and self-assurance in your boys for them to get up and lead a flash dance. That is awesome…and you are an awesome mom!
Tracie recently posted..A Patient Visitor
Love it! So cute and kids being kids!
those other moms were probably just pissed because there kids didn’t start the adorable preschool flash mob.
Alexandria recently posted..My Birthright
Love it, Shell!!!! Of course you’d let them dance! They have the rest of their lives to sit there and be bored!!!! Great job!
Rebecca @ Unexplained X2 recently posted..Bump- Bump- Bump- Bump- ShhhhhhhMy Day In Phone Calls
Love it!! Kids need to be allowed to be kids. I agree there is a time and place, but what was it hurting by letting them sing?
The scowling mom’s were probably just jealous that they didn’t have the nerve or talent of the little kids.
Natalie recently posted..Performance Anxiety
How sad that some moms don’t allow their kids to be kids. I agree totally with you. That situation totally called for some silliness and dancing. I would gave been dancing with them! :)
How sad that some moms don’t allow their kids to be kids. I agree totally with you. That situation totally called for some silliness and dancing. I would have been dancing with them! :)
Kim recently posted..St Patricks Day Sensory Tub
I love this. I love letting kids do their own thing. We always have kids dancing at our church – and it’s amazing to see the joy in their faces as they do something they love. Let them dance!
Julie recently posted..My first Mamavation Monday…
They only get to be kids for such a short time. Let em all dance and maybe suggest those glaring moms go get a cup of coffee!!
(What did they do? Cabbage Patch? Disco? :) )
Yup. Time and Place – I got scowls when @Iambooboolala was howling at the wolves at the zoo. :P I video taped it. ;)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82IfE_T-6yU
MommyLisa recently posted..Happy Birthday Grandma!!! and a recipe
I have goosebumps! Kids should be kids and what better way to let their fabulous little lights shine than to dance?! AWESOMELY Fabulous of you to let them continue to dance and POOOOO on the scowling mommies. I feel sorry for those children. The world can be a scary downtrodden heavy place at times and certainly needs more moments of infusion like these! If we all flash mobbed and DANCED think of how much happier every one would be?!
It was such an awesome moment of parental support for them too! By allowing them to express how they were feeling you were validating that it was totally okay to be who they are and feel what they were feeling. Sounds like a super awesome parenting moment to me!
Daffy recently posted..Madame Duckalicious- Keeping It Real
I think this is awesome! I’d have been up there dancing with the kids. Music should be about participation for everyone. Why be stuffy when you could be celebrating the arts. Bring on the party!
Heidi Smith Luedtke recently posted..Send a Card- Please
Love it, Shell! :)
And that’s why your boys will not need therapy.
The scowling moms need to get the bugs out of their butts. I’m not saying that children should not behave when required, but give me a break. Good for you, and the kiddos!
Ash recently posted..Call me Soloman
“Or maybe that’s just because my 4 year old and 2 year old started a flash mob on their preschool field trip.” That’s just good writing. The kind makes me jump up from my desk chair and wiggle.
Nancy Davis Kho recently posted..Not so mighty mascots
Shell my boys are the same way! Sometimes I cringe but then I think…they are just being kids. And if they want to dance and have a good time, there is nothing wrong with that. I dont know why people make faces {especially those with kids}…its harmless fun :)
Tina @ Life Without Pink recently posted..Girls’ Lunch Out – Social Media Networking Event
Shell rocks it yet again! I think the scowls came from uptight moms who don’t know how to have fun!
Tammy recently posted..Weekend Wrap Up February 25th – 27th
Well, amen sister!!! I would’ve done the same exact thing!! Can you imagine how the lives of those kids are whose moms were scowling?! I can only imagine the tension and stress they must feel all the time.
You’re a FUN mom….nothing wrong with that!!! I say, let ‘em dance too!!!!
Helene recently posted..I confess
That’s an awesome story. Let them dance, always!
I love it Shell. I have to watch sometimes I tend to get a little up tight with my kids when we are out in public. Of course, Evil is sometimes very, very bad and maybe that is where the tension comes from!
myevil3yearold recently posted..I Almost Missed This
Love you Shell! As a mom to a toddler boy, I promise I will always be there with you, letting him dance.
Glamamom recently posted..ENK VOGUE BAMBINI FALL-WINTER 2011 FASHION SHOW
People of all ages need to lighten up and let a little dance back into their lives. One of my favorite times with my kiddo is when he cranks the radio up in his room (usually to top 40 crap, but at least it’s music) and we have “crazy dance fest.” If my mother ever knew I let my kid shake his behind while bouncing on his bed she would have a corinary.
Dancing is the best way to cut loose, let of some steam, and in the case of little ones let the wiggles out. Dancing means you are one with the music, and all artists & performers appreciate that.
It’s good for grown-ups too. I was at a rock concert Sunday night (followed by dancing at a nightclub) and the artist begged for everyone to get on their feet and rock on. Kids might as well learn early.
Vinobaby recently posted..My Words in the Sentinel
Of course they should dance!!! I love that they got the party going! There’s nothing quite like that preschool inhibition…let’s hope it stays with them!
Practical Parenting recently posted..I Took The Mom Pledge…Will You
Sometimes we just have to let them dance! Love it!
Not only do I love that your boys were dancing and you just let them do their thang, I love that your son, waved everyone on. I have always told my girls, don’t be the person who sits out the dance. Always, always dance. To participate in life is the only way to do it. Your boys are lucky, you know, to have such a wonderful mama.
joann mannix recently posted..Im Gonna Need A Moment
Very cute! I can’t wait to see how out going mine will be when she gets to that age!
Erin recently posted..Fishing and Crockpots!
My little guy would have loved to join in with them…too cute!!
The Mommyologist recently posted..Five Lessons In Five Years
Good good for you! I think I would have been the mom running up and making my kids come sit down- but you totally did the right thing!
Emmy recently posted..The Status Quote
Perfect! I can’t tell you how many of these performances I’ve been too with my two kids, and I absolutely would have loved to see the flash mob of 4 year olds!!
Great post, Shell….thanks for the smile this morning!
Sherri recently posted..Clean Slate
Hooray for dancing and a mom who know how to let her kids have a little fun!
There’s nothing cuter than dancing children. You should have joined them!
The Naked Mother recently posted..A Farmer Is Born
Hahaha! That is perfect. I am that mom, too! This is a perfect example of my #4 personal commandment – kids will be kids!
Kristin_OPC recently posted..Post-It Note Tuesday Guiding Principles
LOVE, love, love this post!! I am THAT mom all the time. Kids are kids; they are supposed to act, sing,play, and dance….like kids. Maybe some of us adults should let our inner child out every now and then!!
Crystal recently posted..Back With The Living
And that’s why you are a good mommy, and Crazy-Stink-Eye mothers are not!
I love the visual of those little monkeys dancing and starting a flash mob! As per usual Shell, terrific post!
Sandra recently posted..I am sad Should I blog
Oh my word – how sweet is this. Love it! As an adult I sometimes feel like doing this also, but feel it would be strange. I think we all need to give ourselves permission to dance more.
Love you.
tracy recently posted..Turns out I am not the most OCD mom in the world…
I love that last line. Yes, I agree, let the kids dance. There is a time and a place for sitting quietly, but I think it is just as important to let kids be kids.
You had me at flash mob! Seriously, I wanna be apart of one so bad…hey maybe since I have 4 kids, we could start our own flash mob scene. Who cares what those other mothers though. Let kids be kids and have some freedom. There is plenty of time for them to have to sit with their hands in their laps and be silent. I say…GOOD MOMMY!
Great post!
Goodnight moon recently posted..Spreading your legs
Good for you Shell! Id be smiling too!
This really the only way to be happy.
The only way.
The world is full of head shaking adults telling us how we should be, our kids should be, and how they won’t like us and will judge us if we don’t do it like them.
Why do they think they are right???
YOU were right.
Alexandra recently posted..Farewell- Green Skirt – or- The GiveAway Finale Post
Love this! I’m so glad you let them dance – and what was up with the scowlers? Bad breakfast burrito or something?
Of course, with my kids, someone would’ve fallen off the stage and drama would’ve ensued. ;)
Love it! My kids, along with a co workers, play in the hall every morning. I know it bothers some, and we do try to keep them quiet, but heck, it’s a school… kids are supposed to play…and ours is not in an area where it’s safe for them to be on the playground without an adult!
Sorta Southern Single Mom recently posted..Close Encounters of the Family Kind
“But, I say there is a difference between when our kids are being bad and when our kids are doing what kids do.”
Sounds like they were acting very appropriately. Maybe those scowling parents need to get up and dance! :)
Rachael recently posted..How to Travel with Toddlers
We could all take a lesson from his example! Good for you, Shell, for letting them have fun! So much of our society wants to stifle kids, and that’s no fun.
Adrienne recently posted..making memories in midst of lifes messes
I am so glad you followed your heart & let your son express himself that way. What a fun memory!
Well I adore Shell :) And I adore this post. This is something a lot of mom’s need to work on, let them play and be silly. Even when others might think it’s inappropriate :) I think it encourages them to be creative!
Michelle recently posted..Single Mom Mentality
And this is why you rock as a mom! It was an amazing thing you did by letting them dance- you let them enjoy being kids. Awesome job mama!
I can’t imagine how you could scowl!
Scowlers=no fun. Yes, sometimes, we just need to let them dance!
Darcie recently posted..ExcusesExcusesExcuses
Good for you! Ignore the scowls and let the kids be KIDS :)
Love this post! I think I am definitely one of those parents trying to figure out how to balance just this kind of thing … when I need to put a lid on my kid’s antics and when to just let her be. I think we’re all in this boat. Some of us just have a better time laughing about it. :)
My question to you: how did you stay in your seat? I would have been right there with them, shaking my boom boom.
Kudos to you to letting your son be the kid that he is.
Mad Woman behind the Blog recently posted..Who knew
Good for you! Kids should be allowed to be kids.
Amanda recently posted..Intro to my Vampire Story
Love it! I love how you didn’t let the scowls from the probably too strict moms affect you and instead let your kids be who they are and who kids should allowed to be! Beautiful.
Kim Dee recently posted..My DentalHygienist&PregancyStory
Oh my god! Kid friendly music is playing and 3 and 4 year olds want to dance. *evil scowl* *evil scowl*
Seriously there is nothing sadder than a preschooler who can’t just be. Good for you for being the mom of “THOSE KIDS” that know how to have fun!
Love it Shell and you are so right – you should let your kids dance! They are only young once, screw the glares and do what you know is best for your boys. And 2 and 4 year olds love to dance!
Michelle recently posted..Panera Bread Review and Giveaway
Amen, Sister!
Julie recently posted..United we sleep
Yay for letting our kids be that! KIDS! Good for you for letting them dance. I love it. I would have done the same thing. Shoot, I probably would have been out there dancing with my daughter — if I’m being honest and all … ;)
Andrea recently posted..Buffalo Chicken Cheese Balls
People get so uptight about the stupidest things! Good for you for just going with it. Lighten up people! I can only imagine what my two year old would have done there.
Go Shell!!! We are a dancin’ family! Sadie would have joined right in!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..Wordful Wednesday- Happy Kids Happy Mommy
What the hell is wrong with THOSE OTHER MOTHERS?! :) Love to you both! Two of my fave bloggers in one space!
Kristy recently posted..Are You Fixable
Love it Shell! And I have no doubt whatsoever that that’s *exactly* what you’d do- let them be kids. Dancing, not scowling- That’s what I want them to remember! Great post!
Oh that’s awesome! And I love that a mob of them ended up doing it! Good for you.
Ally recently posted..Success!
I love the premise of your blog. There are so many things I wish I could say but now that my family and friends know about the blog, I find myself somewhat self-censored.
As for the dancing…..good for you for letting them express themselves! If it was a kids show, that’s what should have been happening.
Nicole@MTDLBlog recently posted..Talk to Me Tuesday- Women are Better than Men
I’m a 27 year old “adult” and I often want to do something less socially acceptable (ex. singing while waiting for the copier at work, skipping in the mall parking lot, etc.). Then I realize that everyone is staring at me… Why can’t we just do as we like without fear of social repercussions? Kids do it all the time!
Comments on this entry are closed.