Fourteen Again

I have a list of topics more directly related to parenting (being a step-mom, Sunday junior football, etc), and this post will eventually get to parenting (I promise), but first it is going to meander through my “perpetual adolescence.”

**wow, I absolutely would not let a student begin an essay like that**

Over the years I have learned that I have a tendency toward obsessive behavior. When my VCR (remember those?) died during a weekend marathon of Babylon 5, I had to run out to buy a new one. During the fourth season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, I developed a fan-crush on Marc Blucas and spent the infamous Y2K watching anything he had acted in (Buffy, Eddie, Pleasantville). That was 10 years ago, and since then I’ve been fairly ambivalent about T.V. and the idea of celebrity in general. Too many reality T.V. “celebrities” becoming famous for absolutely nothing has disillusioned me. (One more topic to add to my list.)

Then, Darren Criss appeared on my screen. Those of you who already know of my Glee love might not realize it didn’t start until a second season episode called “Never Been Kissed.” Criss’s charisma mesmerized me, and I’ve been fourteen again ever since.

I’ve joined on-line forums, I’ve spent hours watching youtube videos of a Harry Potter parody and Darren Criss concert footage, I have my sons singing his song “Status Quo,” and I have now planned my first trip to New York to see him perform in a Broadway musical (112 days and counting as I write this).

Now, I would be lying if I said this fascination was only due to his immense talent—the young man is easy on the eyes, but I was 16 when he was born (the year of first boyfriend, first breakup, first battle with cancer) and have no desire to be a cougar. Truthfully, though, I am elated to see someone achieving the status of “celebrity” and actually deserving it. He plays several instruments well--including the violin which, yeah, I’m impressed—writes songs that stick in my head, sings and performs with amazing energy, and by all accounts is still humble about it. Just trying to write about him has me running out of adjectives.

So, I wonder—and this is where we get back to parenting—how does one raise a child like this? I want to sit down with his mom and dad and take copious notes. Some of it must be nature; no amount of vocal training could make me a singer, not in my genetics. Fan accounts describe him as an Energizer Bunny. That can’t be taught either.

But, how did his parents cultivate this genius? Does this mean I have to re-think my laid-back parenting approach? And how do I do this over every-other weekend and seven weeks in the summer? I’ve had one small success: After all my not-so-subtle suggestions this summer, B. has joined band. The boy (mine, not Darren, although he has great moves too) can dance like crazy and both my boys sing pretty well, so I keep showing them selected parts of Glee and planting the idea of joining show choir in high school (football in the fall, track in the spring, and show choir in-between). Unlike the world of Glee, show choir is a big deal in the Midwestern town where they live with dad.

This post has gotten long, so thank you if you’re still reading. I’m at a loss as to how to close because this topic isn’t finished. I’ve got to keep working on all my kids and instilling this philosophy (courtesy of Darren Criss): “There is nothing more badass than being yourself.”

(Actually, my favorite Criss quote came from an interview where he was asked what he looked for in a woman and he responded: “Vocabulary. You want to wake up next to smart.” Where was he when I was in college? Oh, yeah, pre-school. Damn.)