Mother knows best

The movie trucks are gone - which means classes must be starting at COC. After weeks of driving around roped off areas and listening to stories of "guess who was on campus today" Spring Semester has begun and now the parking lots are full of students and their horrible driving/parking "skills".

Aidan is now back to his 8 class courseload. The three college classes will significantly add to his workload - which has been light so far this year. Math started yesterday - and he was witness to the ever-present California budget crisis as his teacher ("You can call me Bob") had to ask waitlisted course-crashing hopeful students to leave the class, as it was already too full. I'm not sure of the wisdom of having my 15 year old boy refer to his teacher as "Bob" - this could easily backfire with Aidan's 'issues with authority' personality. Or it could be genius.

History of Animation is his other academic college class - fulfilling both a-g and IGETC requirements, I think. Luckily, the counselor at his high school knows WAY more than I do about such things. Aidan is looking forward to the class - which is a great sign.

The class that he's the least excited for? PE. And this is where he needs to trust his mother. He's in Ballroom Dancing for PE. Ballroom. How amazingly awesome is that??? He doesn't see it yet. But he will. It might take a few years, but someday he is going to come to me and thank me for taking this class. He'll get a glimpse of it's power when he asks a girl to dance and doesn't look like a moron. And then he'll see it even more when the girls/women (later) realize that he *can* *dance* and will want to dance with him. And pursue him. And be happy to dance with him. Guys who can dance (and lead!!!) are in short supply. And the gal who can appreciate a good dancer - well... that's the kind of gal I want my son to date.

Ballroom is not easy. Partnering isn't easy. It's ultimately a form of non-verbal communication. It's discipline and athletic at the same time - with the added benefit of working with another person to get it right. Important lessons for anyone - especially teenaged boys. And eventually can help keep you healthy: http://socialdance.stanford.edu/syllabi/smarter.htm

My hope is that Aidan learns something from this experience and sees it for what it's worth. Because in my opinion, this class has the potential to be the most important class of his social life. He has countless hours of wedding receptions in front of him - and what better way to spend those hours than by twirling girls around the floor? If I could crash the class, I totally would. But I would probably get kicked out: budget cuts and all.