Thankful Thursday

Well, it is Thursday again, so I guess that means it is time for Thankful Thursday...

I have discovered a new show on Lifetime that is strangely addictive. Dance Moms follows a handful of mothers whose preteen daughters are competitive dancers at a studio in PA owned and operated by a-piece-of-work coach named Abby. As a "Cheer Mom" of a preteen competitive cheerleader, I find that I have a lot in common with these mothers. Like them, I put hundreds of miles on my car each month taxiing my daughter to and from practice. Like them, I spend hours upon hours each week volunteering my time to do whatever is needed, spending more time at the gym than I do at home. Like them, I want my daughter to succeed at what she loves. So, what exactly am I thankful for? I am thankful for all the many ways that I and the other cheer moms are NOT like them.

1.  To my knowledge, the police have never been called to escort one of our parents off the premises.

2.  We are a boring bunch. Which is why, I'm sure, Lifetime has not come knocking on our door.

3.  With mere minutes before our kids hit the stage, we are in the front row ready to cheer them on, not at the bar getting hammered.

4.  We know that our coaches truly love each and every one of our kids, just as if they were their own. As a result, our kids love their coaches.

5.  We get along. Really. For the most part, we do. And I am thankful for the many dear friends that I have made at the gym.

6.  Our coaches would NEVER ever let our kids dress or dance like prosti-tots.

7.  We are not paying $16,000 a year! Although, I haven't actually added it up....

I could go on and on. But the bottom line is, I am thankful that I am not on national television, because with the right editing, I guess anyone can look like a psycho.

What are you thankful for?

Bren