Page 40 - Highlights for Children (December 2017)

Ask

Arizona ®

My dad sings along to the
radio when my friends are in

the car. It’s so embarrassing.
How can I get him to stop?

—Mortified in Montana

My Singing, Dancing,

Silly-Hat-Wearing Mom

By Lissa Rovetch • Art by Amanda Morley

Dear Mortified, and there, my mom said, “Are you sure this is
It sounds as if your dad would “I know the perfect song and such a good idea?”
get along great with my parents, dance. I’ll teach it to the kids!”
because they also do a lot of Before I could say “Please I asked my mom.
embarrassing things! Usually, don’t,” my mom had agreed to
it’s my dad who sings goofy come to my class every morning to happen, people need to step
songs or tells corny jokes around at 9:30 for a week. Oh, and just up and volunteer.”
my friends. But a few weeks ago, to be clear, it’s not as if she’s “I know volunteering is
it was my mom who played the a professional entertainer. My important,” I said, “but couldn’t
embarrassing-parent role. parents run a small grocery you help out in Tex and Indi’s
While my mom and I were store, and the only singing my kindergarten instead?”
shopping, we ran into my mom does is in the shower. She laughed. “Don’t be silly.
teacher, who mentioned that “Um,” I said on our way home, We’ll have a blast!”
the school didn’t have a music “are you sure this is such a
teacher to help our class put good idea?” “OK, gang,” my teacher said
together a performance for “Of course!” she said. “If we at 9:28 on Monday. “We’re going
Winter Fair. And, right then want your school’s Winter Fair to stop silent reading a little

40 DECEMBER 2017