Life Unadorned

Family Lifestyle Blog

  • Crafts & DIY
    • DIY
    • Free Printables
  • Lifestyle
    • At Home
    • Kids
    • Mental Health
    • Motherhood
    • Self Care
    • Style
  • Tech
    • Entertainment
    • Technology
  • Travel
  • Entertaining
    • Recipes
    • Parties & Holidays
  • About
    • About Life Unadorned
    • Contact Me
    • Services
    • Stats
    • Privacy Policy – Life Unadorned

I’m not a bad mom because there’s a dance pole in my living room

Filed Under: Blogs, Motherhood, Not A Bad Mom, Physical Health

IMG_1236

Today I’d like to welcome Alison for “I’m Not a Bad Mom.” If you’d like to contribute to this weekly series you’ll find details here. And Alison, rock on girl.

IMG_1232

I have never been more excited to receive such an honest Mother’s Day card from my child (except for maybe last year when he divulged my love of fast food and said for fun I like to go to the grocery store by myself). This mother’s day, he chose to celebrate the fact that we like to pole dance as a family. I think he feels that way because he has been part of my pole dance journey from the very beginning.

IMG_1233

I became pregnant with my son during my first six week session of pole dancing. He grew inside me and brought with him relentless waves of nausea that just didn’t go well with spinning around.   Since his arrival, he has been raised in a home where there’s a dance pole in the living room. When I practice, he wants a turn. He climbs like a monkey. We take photos and videos of our achievements. We pole on street signs and at the park. The pole is usually right next to the Christmas tree. I don’t take it down for company. It’s there, without apology, because it’s part of my journey in becoming a better parent.

IMG_1234

I didn’t expect pole dance to impact my parenting, but it did. I am an introvert and analyze data during the day so my thought processes are very linear. Pole dance helps me bring me out of my shell and think more creatively. This mental flexibility allows me to better deal with the challenges of parenting and being less shy helps me connect with others and model healthy socialization for my son.  I now have friends with common interests who are supportive and encouraging. Studies have shown that dance helps with problem solving and memory, which is handy when you have 500 things on your to do list and not enough time to do it all (something that happens frequently as a mom and a single parent). It is something I do for me to take care of myself, which gives me patience and emotional resources to address the needs of my son. My self esteem has improved through my achievements in moving from student to instructor. Pole dance has given my son and I an activity we both enjoy and this has improved our bond.

My son and I see our aerial activities as both dance and gymnastics (since our bar is vertical, not horizontal). This is exercise and healthy movement in support of a balanced lifestyle.  The pole is a piece of fitness equipment, like a treadmill.  My son is proud that I pole dance and his favourite game is “Can Mommy climb that?”  He loves to watch me and learn new tricks.  I am trained to spot him so he can perform movements without injury and I don’t let him do anything irresponsible or age inappropriate that is any more risky than things he does on the playground like any other kid. Safety is the first consideration as his future is important to me.

 

IMG_1235

People ask how he will feel when he grows up and learns about the role of pole in exotic dance. I don’t work in that industry, but there is a perception that he may think less of me because I do what “they” do. I trust when he does make those connections that he will have learned from me that people are people and that it is not his place to judge anyone’s life choices.   I also have faith that what he will remember about his mommy is that she is really strong, does cool things upside down, can open jars without assistance and most importantly, that she taught him to fly.

Alison Tedford is a single mom who is a data analyst by day, blogger and pole dance instructor by night. She records her adventures in fitness, dance and parenting on Sparkly Shoes and Sweatdrops, and on Facebook. 


Related posts:

  1. Open Adoption is a Living Miracle
  2. Living with Bipolar
  3. I’m Not a Bad Mama Because I Have Two Kids with Two Different Fathers
  4. Is She a Bad Mom Because Motherhood Doesn’t Feel Natural?

About Cristi Comes

Warrior Mom. Wife. Writer. Passionate advocate for motherhood and mental health, self care and positive self image. Lover of tech, travel, books and entertainment.

Comments

  1. Lucy Ball says

    at 8:07 AM

    That. Is. AWESOME! What a great post! I think it is fantastic that you are sharing your creativity with your family. It may be one of the most original things I’ve read this week! 🙂

  2. Dani says

    at 8:53 AM

    I am same, pole in room with weights etc. and in my living room all the children in the complex all want a turn but that is where I must be careful some of the parents do not agree with it, so I must respect their thoughts on the matter. Boys and Girls alike enjoy the activity, and children do not perceive it the way adults do. Of course if they do use it I am always there to supervise, I do not allow anyone to use it without my supervision.

  3. Heidi Sloss says

    at 4:42 PM

    It is such a funny argument people make against pole dancing: just because some people use it in exotic dancing, your son will make a bad connection. what about beds? Sex trade workers use beds. While it is not my thing, you have made it so much more than just your thing by sharing something you love with your son!

  4. Heidi Sloss says

    at 4:45 PM

    It is such a funny argument people make against pole dancing: just because some people use it in exotic dancing, your son will make a bad connection. What about beds? Sex trade workers use beds. Really not a comment about their concern about your son as much as their own discomfort with their bodies. While it is not my thing, you have made it so much more than just your thing by sharing it you love with your son. Our kids need to see us as happy healthy beings–something you are showing your son!

  5. Edna Guerrero says

    at 5:12 PM

    Great post!! With great parenting I am sure he will learn that it is not our place to judge anyone’s life choice. What a great example!!!

Search

Find Support

Mental Health Resources

Popular Posts: Motherhood

  • Get Kids to Listen Without Yelling or Reminding
  • Help for Anxiety and Night Terrors
  • I’m Not a Bad Mom Because My Kid isn’t Potty Trained
  • Mental Health after Infant Loss & Miscarriage
  • Talking to Kids about Emotions {Inside Out Feelings Flash Cards}

Popular Posts: Parties

  • Happy Birthday Isla! Princess Pampering Party
  • Guardians of the Galaxy Movie Night {Rocket Raccoon Veggie Tray, Baby Groot Cupcakes}
  • Inspired by Big Hero 6: Baymax Rice Ball and Party Ideas
  • green minecraft birthday cake with fondant toppers and ovation sticks
    Happy 8th Birthday Ronin! {Minecraft Party Ideas}
  • Festive Rainbow Cake
Copyright © 2021 Cristi Comes · Log in