When in Doubt, Dance!

credit: Ken Heyman

Earlier today, I was trying to get some work done while Noah, my 9 month old son, played with his toys. At one point, he crawled over to the couch where I sat, and tried to take my laptop. Of course, I was focused and my ideas were rolling, so my first reaction was to impulsively take it away forcefully and glare at him. He began to cry and immediately I realized what I had taught him--how to prioritize and be possessive of our belongings.

To rectify the situation, I hugged him and apologized, then proceeded to dance with him to some funky calypso music that played in the background. When I tried to have him dance in a standing position, he decided to sit down and start playing with his toys instead--probably because of my horrible dancing skills, but anyway.

Although the situation seems irrelevant in the grander scheme of things, it was still a lesson that could have turned out negatively, one taught by example. And all these little lessons are compounded into the one major example that our children adopt through time. Everyone is busy, and I know we won't always catch ourselves behaving irrationally, but when we do, remember that it may only take a minute worth your time to turn a potentially negative situation into a fond memory.

Soon thereafter, he came over to me once again. This time, I simply put the laptop aside, sat down with him and offered my breast to which he fed. As he went back to his toys, and I to my work, he began bopping to the music. I smiled and then continued to work.

Now, speaking of dancing, enjoy this hilariously cute video of a father and daughter passing time.