far greater value

"it's unfair and it's to much money" the mom said in the middle of the foyer of the dance studio.

I'm a nanny for two kids, a 7 year old girl and a 9 year old boy.

I do everything with them,

carpool, snacks, tv time, ipad time, jazz, legos, yoga, swimming, dance parties,

you get the picture. 

A scene that went down, in the "mom" area of jazz last week,

refuses to leave my brain.

The dance studios are off limits to watch.

If you want to see your kid dance you have to watch on the small screens they provide.

Ballet class ended in one of the rooms,

the door opens and kids burst out, eyes frantically searching for their mommy or nanny. 

The teacher stands at the door waiting for her next group to file in.

But before the teacher had a chance to tuck away,

into another hour of dance a long,

a mom with wild hair and two kids hanging on her, grabbed her attention. 

"it's unfair and it's to much money" the mom said in the middle of the foyer of the dance studio.

That is the moment when my full attention was grabbed.

In a calm but honest tone...

"We pay for dance every week and don't really get to watch her

and then recitals are $80 per ticket for her to be on stage for 5 minutes.

It might be embarrassing for her and I guess right now for me

but it's just to much." 

Whispers and loud children were the soundtrack of the room as mommy made her exit.

In that moment I was feeling awkward because I was actually sitting right beside the teacher

but my second thought was,

"umm hell ya that's to much money for a recital."

And ever since then, I cannot get that scenario or momma out of my head.

Why was it awkward?

Why the whispers?

Why was it embarrassing?

I guess because someone says "that's to much money" we all assume

her family must not have very much money.

Or should we assume that they do have money but they are actually being wise

by saying an $80 recital for five year olds, is ridiculous. 

But if that's not the case, is it embarrassing to not have a lot of money? 

In life, how many things have we avoided because of embarrassment.

Guess what?

Embarrassment only comes from caring what others think about us. 

We sometimes believe that people are forcing us to be embarrassed or ashamed,

when in reality, we have complete control.

Others effect on us is completely up to how much we allow their opinion to matter.

Thinking back,

it doesn't matter how much money she does or doesn't have.

It takes guts to be that momma.

Some would say that she is,

"punishing the child by not letting her do the recital"

but I say, she is living out an example that has far greater value.

She is showing her babies how to tell the truth

even when it's uncomfortable

and to stand up for what they feel is wrong.

In that moment I was the one attempting to avert my eyes

but if I could have a do-over, I would be standing right there with her. 

-hay