When my son was younger I use to take him to all the television show sets that allowed audiences to come and watch live tapings. Many of the game shows had age restrictions which were the usual 10-year-old minimum. So we tried to go to as many as we could.

One year Producer Gary Marshal came out with a new show called “On the Lot”. It was a competition for filmmakers. My son really wanted to go to this one, but the minimum age was 16 and he was only 10. But hey what did we have to lose, so we went anyway.

We made it into the audience room. While we were sitting and waiting for the show to start the comedian who was warming up the audience asked for two volunteers. My son’s hand shot straight up! I told him to put it down since I was scared they would ask us to leave because he was too young to be there. My son raised his hand even higher. Yes… He was picked, along with a very tall, older, sexy lady. They went on stage for a dance-off to “Hips don’t lie”, wouldn’t you know it one of my son’s favorite songs.

Once the music started my son began moving his hips and dancing! The entire crowd was cheering and roaring for him. The tall woman next to him was doing slow seductive moves trying to work the room, but my son had the heart of the audience.

There were over 500 people and he was dancing like no one else was there. Suddenly I didn’t care if we got kicked out. This was beyond a moment of joy.

When the music stopped, the room stood up and clapped so loud. My son ended up winning a signed t-shirt from Gary Marshal and we enjoyed the rest of the show no problems.

The fears I created that day were mine, not my sons. I was putting so much of my anxiety onto him about getting in trouble and telling him not to raise his hand.

I almost stole a magical moment from him. Kids should not take on their fears. I was instilling insecurity rather than the confidence he will need now and later in life.

Our kids need to be able to be silly, inquisitive, playful, and full of joy. Separate what you are fearing and let your child learn to create their own reactions to experiences. It is so easy to not realize the new fears we bring to our children daily when we think we are just protecting them. Everything is a teachable moment.

Encourage new adventures….new Moments …..and never forget to dance…..because remember ….

“Hips don’t lie” 💃❤️