I have never been much of a dancer. Although, since I found out I was going to be a father I have been working on my ‘dad dancing’. Dad dancing, as you probably already know, can come in a variety of forms but has several common features: it is never in time with the music and it usually embarrasses your teenage son or daughter.
The reason I have been breaking out the dancing this week though, is not to embarrass my son but to try and make him smile. According to the books and our friends, it’s around this time of your child’s life that you can first expect a smile not related to wind.
Faith and I had been throwing the kitchen sink of comedy at Adlai, but to no avail until one day when I came home from work, Faith excitedly reported that he had been smiling at her all day (presumably not constanly). From that point I have tried funny voices, pulling faces, telling jokes and of course dad dancing (sometimes all at the same time) in an effort to get a smile on that kid’s face. I am pleased to report that on several occasions Adlai has obliged me with a cheeky little grin. It’s the first time he’s been able to show that he likes me. It’s a relief. To be honest I think my funny voice comedy is his personal favorite. Perhaps he is already embarrassed by the dancing.
