It took a hurricane, but I finally got Catherine to willingly accompany me to the Jazzercise Center of Southwestern Connecticut, where I teach a couple times a week.
Given the choice between a dark, cold house and watching Mom in all her embarrassing glory, the choice was clear — as long as she could rely on her laptop and headphones to block it all out. So last Thursday, our third day without power, she packed her stuff and sat in the back room while I taught class.
I was so excited! She was here — for the first time since she was 7 or 8 (she’s 16 now) and would sit on the sidelines while I took class and try to decipher the mysteries of the shimmy (she’s got it figured out now!).
There are very few pictures of me teaching — here’s one that’s good for a laugh, not that Catherine would have noticed the other night.
She’d never seen me teach, and I was sure she’d be so proud of me!
I was hoping she might dance with us, or at least watch, but except for one peek around the corner to shoot me some stink eye when I told the class that she was hiding in the back, she stayed glued to the computer.
I admit I goaded her with taunts — “Look, Catherine: A whole room of people who do what I tell them.”
The class got a kick out of that, but she didn’t bite. During the last routine, she made a mouse-like crawl out to the corner of the dance floor, and after everyone left, she tried to play with my mic.
“You made me sound like an anti-social hobbit,” she said on the way home, then demanded to know: “Do you ALWAYS talk about me?!”
“Well, no,” I assured her.
“Sometimes I talk about your father.”
Pushing on a Rope 
I love your post!I have a 16 year old daughter and went through the “embarrassed of mom act”too. I bet they are proud of us though. I am so glad I stumbled at your blog http://www.mommyunwired.com
Posted by Marie B (@Mariebulatao) | November 10, 2012, 4:21 amThanks, Marie. I hope you come back — and send your friends. Enjoyed a peek at your blog over breakfast!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | November 10, 2012, 7:31 amI feel you. My daughter actually came to class a few times this summer (she’s 17), because it’s free exercise that actually works, and she’s a dancer. But the whole concept of “Jazzercise” is something she kind of tries to suppress after years of being dragged around to classes and one time even accidentally getting kicked in the face while I learned “Aaron’s Party” . Luckily, I was only wearing socks. But all in all, I think she is proud of me, and one day will think back on her mother who was a good role model as far as fitness goes at least. It’s all good.
Posted by Carmen | November 6, 2012, 5:43 pmI’m sure she’s quite proud of you!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | November 6, 2012, 9:01 pmVery good! Your post made me chuckle. I also appreciate what it’s like to be in your position. BTW – I love your posts and hearing about your life! Reia from http://www.southcountrysides.blogspot.com
Posted by reiadm | November 5, 2012, 9:10 pmThanks, Reia. I enjoy visiting your blog, too!
Posted by Terri S. Vanech | November 6, 2012, 7:08 am