Parenting is a Dance

Last updated on: June 7, 2012 at 8:26 am by Bruce Reyes-Chow

Parenting is a Dance 2012-06-07T08:26:35-07:00 Bruce Reyes-Chow

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Unless of course you count the eye-roll inducing faux break-dancing I do every once in a while just to embarrass my children, I am not what you would call “a dancer.” I am more of a head-bobbing, groove-to-the-beat, Breakin’ wannabe kind of guy. Over the past 20 years, my wife and I have taken a few dance classes, attended a few soirées and it is always fun. We don’t go and dance enough. Not really a regret, just a fact of our life.

But we do dance in some ways every day. We parent.

Of all the metaphors out there about life the most powerful one for me has always been, “It’s a dance.” Whether it is work, family, faith or parenting the nuances of dancing shine through in many ways.

Sometimes we are graceful; at other times we are awkward.
Sometimes we need to waltz; at other times the Electric slide must be done.
Sometimes we are alone; at others times we need to dance with a group.
Sometimes we must lead; at other times we must allow ourselves to be lead.
. . . and so on and so on.

This week our house has been filled with “the dance” of planning for the future: summer and beyond. In the midst of the stress of balancing parental workloads, the realities of finances, time, energy, interest, etc. – all important variables – our youngest daughter posted this sign on her door.

Yes, sweetie, yes they are.

Ah parenthood . . . I think this is one of those “allow ourselves to be lead” moments in the dance.

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