What I do for love

Posted in Mom Stuff
by Alicia Castelli

I hate reality television. Deeply and passionately.
My own reality is something I prefer to escape from. I have no interest in watching other people try to deal with theirs.
I have found, however, that I will do pretty much anything for my kids.
Which is why, eight seasons in, I found myself watching “American Idol” last year with my son…and actually looking forward to it this year.
Ten-year-old Ryan is in his school choir and longs to take guitar lessons. He loves music.
His 6-year-old brother, Ethan, is constantly singing little made up songs despite his offended insistence that he DOES NOT SING. I don’t think Ethan’s even aware he sings ALL THE TIME.
Four-year-old Keira loves to sing and dance almost as much as she loves books and baby dolls.
I, of course, knew about American Idol but I’d never had any interest in watching it before. Ryan learned about the show at school after hearing his friends talk about it.
That’s how I found myself recording the final couple weeks of last year’s season and using them as rewards when Ryan behaved – private time with mommy watching Idol.
This year, all three kids are loving it and I find myself seriously getting a kick out of watching the tryouts and getting caught up (against my will) in the back stories of the people on the show.
What I enjoy more than the show itself is watching my kids’ belly laugh reactions to the horrifyingly bad tryouts, their rapt attention and applause for the talented tryouts and their snickers whenever the show “bleeps” out the bad words of the disappointed.
Ryan’s favorite judge is definitely Simon – both for his caustic wit but also, I think, because Simon is brutally honest and never apologizes for his opinions.
Hmmm….Reminds me of someone I know…..