Sometimes I do Good Dad Things
Lindsay and I went to the mall last night, because she needed to buy a watch.
On the way there, I decided to stop in the Suncoast video store and see if they had Stomp on DVD. I like it, yeah, but mostly I wanted to get it for Hal. FriendBill had brought over the video one evening, and Hal was pretty taken with it.
But also, you see, Hal has struggled to find his niche for a while now. With his ADHD and his sensitive nature, and his difficulty in controlling himself when he's upset, he's been made a target for teasing from some of his classmates. Nothing major, AFAIK, but still hurtful things that make him feel like a bit of an oddball. They teased him when the weather got warm and he started wearing shorts to school; he'd grown, and they said his shorts were too short. Peer pressure.
Recently they told him his hands and feet were too small. He was a little bothered by that until Barb told him that everyone grows at a different rate, and his hands and feet were fine. He was very pleased, though, when I told him that Babe Ruth had tiny feet for a man his size. He thought that was cool.
Anyway, this past school year Hal had the chance to choose a band instrument to learn. We've known for a long time that he has a superior sense of rhythm, so we encouraged him to try the drums. And he's got it, boy. With training and practice, by the time he's in high school, he could be one of the best drummers in school; maybe in the county. And I don't think I'm exaggerating.
So I wanted to encourage his rhythmic pursuits, and his interest in dancing as well. He has good natural movement, and I don't want him feeling embarrassed if some of his peers make fun of his interest and ability. Stomp is full of drummers and dancers who are bad-ass dudes, cooler than the other side of the pillow.
So I found the DVD, and when I brought it home, Hal's eyes lit up. I'm going to make a point of watching it with him, and discussing some of our favorite parts, and maybe even trying to echo some of the rhythms we hear.
This is something in which he can excel. And I want him to know that I'll help him take it as far as he wants to take it.
On the way there, I decided to stop in the Suncoast video store and see if they had Stomp on DVD. I like it, yeah, but mostly I wanted to get it for Hal. FriendBill had brought over the video one evening, and Hal was pretty taken with it.
But also, you see, Hal has struggled to find his niche for a while now. With his ADHD and his sensitive nature, and his difficulty in controlling himself when he's upset, he's been made a target for teasing from some of his classmates. Nothing major, AFAIK, but still hurtful things that make him feel like a bit of an oddball. They teased him when the weather got warm and he started wearing shorts to school; he'd grown, and they said his shorts were too short. Peer pressure.
Recently they told him his hands and feet were too small. He was a little bothered by that until Barb told him that everyone grows at a different rate, and his hands and feet were fine. He was very pleased, though, when I told him that Babe Ruth had tiny feet for a man his size. He thought that was cool.
Anyway, this past school year Hal had the chance to choose a band instrument to learn. We've known for a long time that he has a superior sense of rhythm, so we encouraged him to try the drums. And he's got it, boy. With training and practice, by the time he's in high school, he could be one of the best drummers in school; maybe in the county. And I don't think I'm exaggerating.
So I wanted to encourage his rhythmic pursuits, and his interest in dancing as well. He has good natural movement, and I don't want him feeling embarrassed if some of his peers make fun of his interest and ability. Stomp is full of drummers and dancers who are bad-ass dudes, cooler than the other side of the pillow.
So I found the DVD, and when I brought it home, Hal's eyes lit up. I'm going to make a point of watching it with him, and discussing some of our favorite parts, and maybe even trying to echo some of the rhythms we hear.
This is something in which he can excel. And I want him to know that I'll help him take it as far as he wants to take it.