Sometimes, That’s The Best You Can Do

A couple weekends ago Aspen, my 10 year old daughter, had a ballet recital. And it’s funny really, she’s been going on for the past few months about how she didn't want to be in ballet anymore. And yet, after school, in the back yard, in her room, when going up and down the stairs, she's dancing.

She danced everywhere she went. And perhaps it’s because I’m her father, but honestly, I thought she was pretty good. And yet, her common refrain was “I hate dancing.” And naturally, we’d say things like “but you’re so good at it” and “you’re so grateful” and… all the parenting positive reinforcement phrases that were met with eye rolls and “you guys have to say that” statements.