Writing Workshop: Secret Dreams

Following on from my first go at Josie's writing workshop (which I thoroughly enjoyed doing as has even led to contact with someone else going through the same thing!) here I am with my blog post for Writing Workshop No 18. I have chosen to write about prompt no 3 "What do you secretly dream of your children doing?".

My hopes and dreams for my children are the same as everyone - I want them to be happy and healthy, and it goes without saying, impossibly beautiful and fabulously wealthy. However, I have to admit to wanting to live slightly vicariously through my daughter at least. I don't have any great plans for my son as yet although early indications are that he would make a great cage or bare knuckle fighter...but my daughter is a different thing.

My secret dreams for my daughter? I want her to be a dancer. I don't necessarily want fame and fortune for her, although that would be a nice byproduct I'll admit, I just want to see her perform. I'd be so proud, I think I'd probably internally combust. I want her to have experiences I never had.

I dabbled in dancing as a teenager but never seriously and unfortunately dance lessons were not something my parents ever had the foresight to send me to. I love dancing even now, I love how free it makes you feel, how good it is to feel the music coursing through your body. I would have loved to have a career in dance but sadly it was never going to happen for me.

Sadly it is probably never going to happen for my little girl either, she's a little bit - how should I put this - clumsy. Okay, at times she has the grace of a baby elephant but perhaps I should remember she is only 4. She does pre-school ballet and disco on a Saturday morning (which doesn't really resemble any from of actual dance - just a lot of jumping around) which she appears to love and I think it's done amazing things for confidence. I'll continue to take her as long as she enjoys it and whilst my secret dream is for her to be a dancer, if it should ever stop being fun for her I'll encourage her to find another activity she loves. I refuse to make my children unhappy by making them do things they don't want to do.

If when she's older she wants to be a vet, nurse, checkout girl or teacher, I'll be fine with it. At the end of the day it's her life - her choice. As long as she is happy.

love & kisses

Mrs M x