The other night while putting our 3½ year old daughter to bed something happened that had a big impact on me. Each evening before bed our daughter gets to pick two books from her shelf for daddy to read, and that night I was in the middle of reading her “Cinderella” when she asked me something.
We’d just gotten to the part where Cinderella first meets the prince at the ball, and he asks her to dance. My daughter jumped up and said, “Let’s do that!” I’m ashamed to say my first thought was, “I’m too tired tonight to pretend to be the prince and dance around your bedroom.” That’s when it happened.
A song by Steven Curtis Chapman, coincidentally named “Cinderella”, popped into my head, and in a flash I was on my feet twirling my little girl around the room in an atrocious facsimile of a waltz. Sure, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli of Dancing with the Stars would have both given me a 0, but I didn’t care.
If you’ve listened to this song, I think you’ll understand what caused my rather rapid change of attitude. As tired as I was, I knew there would be a day in the future when my little girl would stop asking me to dance. I never want to look back and realize I’d missed these few magical, fleeting moments.
I wrote a post a while back about a parent who wakes one morning to find a note from his adult daughter; a note he doesn’t like. The twist: at the time he found the note, that same daughter was actually still a baby, asleep in her crib; the note was from the future, and he still had time to change things.
Believe me, I’m no better than any other dad. I make mistakes all the time, but I always try to keep in mind this time with our children will be gone in a blink of the eye. If you’re scared you might get a letter like this one, now is the time to start making changes. There’s still time to rewrite that letter!
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Rachael
May 11, 2012 at 2:14 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Such a sweet moment. Sometimes it’s so hard to remember to cherish those moments when you are worn out after a long day but I know SCC will be forever grateful he took the time to dance. I try to remind myself to take just a few minutes and enjoy their childhood.
Rachael recently posted..Just Like Mama
Michael Schmid
May 11, 2012 at 3:17 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you, Rachael! Once I hauled my tired butt up out of her little children’s reading chair it was fun.
In fact she requested an encore dance a while later after we finished reading “Just in Case You Ever Wonder” (her second book selection for the night). 
Michael Schmid recently posted..A Daddy Blog’s Greatest Hits!
Seth
May 11, 2012 at 2:38 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
If you haven’t seen the movie Courageous, I’d recommend. Whether you’re religious or not, there are parenting elements that applicable to everyone. The situation you describe is similar to an decision of the movie, except daddy makes the wrong decision.
Michael Schmid
May 11, 2012 at 3:22 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Appreciate the recommendation, Seth. I just checked and Courageous is available on Netflix in DVD and Blu-ray formats. Will definitely give it a look.
Michael Schmid recently posted..I Hope You Dance
Bonnie Way
May 11, 2012 at 4:46 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Beautiful. This reminds me of a scene from the movie Courageous. Dr. Dobson also mentions this song (and the story behind it) in his book Bringing Up Girls. Thanks for sharing it… make me cry.
Bonnie Way recently posted..Sappho’s Words
Michael Schmid
May 11, 2012 at 4:59 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Your the second commenter to mention Courageous. I see it’s out on Netflix now, so I’ll have to check it out. Sorry I made you cry, Bonnie. It has that effect on me, too.
Michael Schmid recently posted..Do You Keep Your Children’s Favorite Old Books?
Rafael
May 14, 2012 at 6:57 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
You are right. We have to seize the opportunity than regret that we never took the chance.
Michael Schmid
May 22, 2012 at 1:44 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Truer words were never spoken, Rafael. It’s so easy to get caught up in other stuff, though, isn’t it?
Michael Schmid recently posted..Backyard Ocean Above the Ground Pools – Review and Giveaway
Laura
May 14, 2012 at 9:13 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Each evening before bed our daughter gets to pick two books from her shelf for daddy to read, and that night I was in the middle of reading her “Cinderella” when she asked me something.
Laura recently posted..Muttertag
Albert Wineshouse
May 15, 2012 at 7:29 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Finally I came across a daddy blog. Mummy blogs dominate the internet. You inspire me a lot man, I make a lot of mistakes too but I always find a way to prove to my kids that I am the best dad they can ever have.
Michael Schmid
May 22, 2012 at 1:47 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Hey, Albert! You’re kids are very lucky to have you. We don’t need to be perfect, as no one is. We just need to love them and let them see it. For guys, more than anything, that probably amounts to giving them our undivided attention as much as possible. I’m definitely a work in process as a dad.
Michael Schmid recently posted..A Daddy Blog’s Greatest Hits!
Jeanne Stryker
May 16, 2012 at 6:02 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
For sure you have a great time together with your kid. I adore you for spending wonderful time on your kid. I know that you are a good father and I salute you on that. Reading books to your kid is an essential way for you to express your love.
Michael Schmid
May 22, 2012 at 1:49 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks, Jeanne. I loved reading when I was a boy, and I’d like to instill that love in my daughter. But as you say, it’s more about just spending quality time with her. Half of the time we’re supposed to be reading we’re off on imaginary adventures in the Hundred Acre Wood. I’m usually Pooh.
Michael Schmid recently posted..I Hope You Dance
Leticia
May 28, 2012 at 2:13 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Good stuff share in this post. I like it so much.
Thanks…….
Michael Schmid
May 29, 2012 at 3:57 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thank you so much, Leticia. I just write what I’m feeling or thinking at any point.
Michael Schmid recently posted..Backyard Ocean Above the Ground Pools – Review and Giveaway
Jeff Whittle
May 29, 2012 at 10:27 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
I’ve got good news, Michael…they never quit asking you to dance.
Michael Schmid
May 29, 2012 at 4:01 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks, Jeff! I do hope that’s true. It’s hard sometimes when you’re worn out get up off your tired old butt and dance… but I try to make myself do it.
I’d hate to miss the dance.
Michael Schmid recently posted..Top 20 Baby Names 2011 – Plus Names People Hate
Crystal
June 7, 2012 at 12:20 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Congrats! Your inspiring post was the #2 most clicked post in The Mommy Club last week! Thank you so much for linking it up. I loved reading it!The new linky is up and RUNNING! Hope you stop over and link up more of your wonderful post!
Crystal
http://www.crystalandcomp.com/2012/06/the-mommy-club-share-your-resources-and-solutions-47/
Michael Schmid
June 8, 2012 at 5:07 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Thanks so much, Crystal. I tweeted your linky a couple of times, and will try to stop buy if I have a chance. Have a super weekend!
Marcos T. Rodrigues
June 10, 2012 at 5:19 pm (UTC -5) Link to this comment
Early in the morning I have had a good and inspiring post to read, just as I have also read before that we as parent take the chance when our kids are still young and we can get to accompany them as long we enjoy each other if they grow older they have their own world.
Michael Schmid
June 11, 2012 at 9:12 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
You’re right, Marcos. Now while they are young is when we must give them the time and attention they deserve. All too soon they are grown and busy with their lives. I’d like to think today’s investment will at least make that life happier, and perhaps as an added benefit they will come visit their old dad more often?
Michael Schmid recently posted..Do you know when Father’s Day 2012 is and what you’re getting for dad?
List Loving « LAUGHTER & LATTES
July 13, 2012 at 9:11 am (UTC -5) Link to this comment
[...] in laughter. 7. Tin Roof Ice Cream Cake. Yum. 8. Messy Twister. Anyone want to have a game night?9. Dance with Cinderella. This was the Father/Daughter at our wedding and this guy hits it on the head. Know what’s [...]