Tiny Dancer

By Al Horn

Once our grandchildren had entered our house for what looked to be an extended stay, I made several remarks about the situation with friends, coworkers, and family. I chose to look at the positive affects they would have on our lives instead of any negatives. One of the reasons I talked about so much was how it would affect our writing. It's true that I don't get to sit in front of a keyboard as much as I used to, but the wealth of material is sometimes overwhelming. If I didn't have a ten-hour workday, I'm sure I could have something to write about based on the antics of a twenty-month boy or the insights of a five year-old girl every day of the week. Today's topic: the socialization of our granddaughter.

After two months of being excited and fearful of starting school, she began kindergarten classes last week. One of the many things that excited her was the new clothes being bought for her. If it's been awhile since you have had a child that young in your house, you may not be aware of the fact that even at such a young age, girls seem to know the importance of accessorizing. Her backpack had to come with a matching change purse even if it didn't have any change in it. On alternating days she would proclaim she had plenty of clothes and the next day express concern about not having enough. When I would respond with a certain amount of agreement, she would get excited about the next trip to Wal-Mart.

Since moving here, she has kept pretty much to our house. She has been reluctant to strike up friendships with other children in the neighborhood. At first we were concerned but decided that the positive from the situation would be she wouldn't feel any great emotional loss when we moved to the new house. As the start of school approached we realized that this lack of social structure was making it harder for her to go out and meet new people. We responded by putting her into close proximity with her three-year-old cousin and the four year old next door as often as possible just before school started. As a result, we believe she was less apprehensive going in the first day. When I got home from work that day all I could hear about was how great school had been.

She talked nonstop for an hour about her teacher, her new friends, and the subjects she would cover. She also expressed a desire to get involved with other activities. On the top of her list was a dance class. My wife and I had talked to her about them before school started as a form of social interaction but our granddaughter didn't seem too excited. She was reluctant despite the fact that she would stand in front of the television and pirouette during any show with music. When asked to move out of our field of view, she would move to the kitchen and continue to dance.

Like the caterpillar that emerges from its cocoon as a beautiful butterfly, she has decided it is time to spread her social wings. We are enrolling her in ballet and tap dance classes next week.  All of the necessary supplies are being bought (sixteen dollars for ballet slippers?) and she wants to watch any video that involves dancing. The dance school was very specific on styles and colors; still, she demands final approval of anything we buy. We don't dare ask her to move from in front of the TV now unless we want to invite the most hurtful look.

At this point, you are probably wondering where the positive is in all of this. When she sees you watching her while dancing, the smile on her face doesn't just light up the room, it lights up the whole house.