Dancing Into the World: The Tale of Two Book Launches
On April 29th—International Dance Day—my memoir officially launched into the world. I knew I wanted to celebrate the moment in a meaningful way. So, when my six-year-old daughter asked if I’d visit her kindergarten class, it felt serendipitous.
Early in my book publication process, my daughter beamed with pride, always asking, “When is my copy arriving?” She received one of my first signed advance reader copies, which she guarded like treasure. I wasn’t even allowed to borrow it for a photo. When it first arrived, she carried it everywhere—flipping through pages in her car seat, sight-reading words, and peppering me with questions like, “Who’s Madonna?” and “Why do you say ‘TV’ so many times in one paragraph?” Honestly, I started to think she should’ve been my editor.
But as the weeks unfolded (because birthing a book is a years-long process), something beautiful happened. Her enthusiasm grew into something more than admiration. She didn’t just want to support my dream—she wanted to stand alongside me with one of her own.
She grabbed printer paper and colored markers and began creating her own book. A title page featuring her and her imaginary sister Strawberry’s author signatures. Page numbers. Drawings. Phonetic spelling. Eight full pages about a dog and a cat. When she finished, she asked me to staple and bind it—and I added a shiny “Reader’s Favorite” five-star sticker so she could recognize the glory of her own light.
Soon, whenever someone asked me about my book, she shared about hers. At my launch event, she made sure I announced not just my memoir, but her debut too. When I forgot, she nudged me—gently but persistently—until I did. We even had to make five extra copies to meet the growing demand after her publicity efforts.
Then, on my actual pub date, as we finalized our classroom visit plans, she reminded me: “You already had your book party. This one’s about mine.” She graciously let me bring cookies, take some Q&A, and mention my book—but the main event was reading her story and passing out 29 copies to her classmates and teachers.
And because it was International Dance Day, we ended with a class dance party to Shake It Off by Taylor Swift. The message of the day was clear: dance helps us feel better, and we all have a story worth sharing. The class even got to create their own books after our presentation.
What struck me most wasn’t my daughter’s desire to steal the spotlight (although yes, moms deserve their shining moments too)—it was that she saw something in me that awakened something in her. She wanted to be a published author. She claimed that dream. And she made it real.
Together, we launched our book babies into the world—one memoir, one handmade children’s story—hoping to remind others that it’s never too early or too late to go after what lights you up.
As moms, we have a powerful opportunity to inspire our children—not just with our words, but through the example of pursuing our own dreams. Yet so often, it can feel self-indulgent or even selfish to carve out time for our passions. “Mom guilt” creeps in, whispering doubts about whether our dreams are worth the time away from our families. But here’s the truth: our children are watching. They’re studying how we live, how we love, and how we honor what matters to us.
If we want to raise kids who follow their dreams, explore their passions, and choose careers they genuinely enjoy, we can’t just tell them to do it—we have to show them how.
Writing my book took three years. I worked on it during late nights, early mornings, weekends—even family vacations. I sacrificed time with my daughter and husband, and I wrestled with the guilt throughout. But I also knew I was teaching my daughter something invaluable: that being a parent doesn’t mean erasing who you are. That I am more than a caregiver—I am a creator, a dreamer, a human being. I wanted her to see that it’s okay for others to step in and support her too. That she is safe, loved, and also free to witness her mom chasing a dream.
Because when we choose to pursue what lights us up, we give others permission to do the same. That is one of the greatest gifts we can offer this world—and our children.
So as Mother’s Day approaches, I’m celebrating you. And I’m encouraging you to take just one small action that brings more of your soul into your work, your life, your dreams. Do it visibly. Do it boldly. And if your kids are nearby, even better—because they are paying attention.
Perhaps the greatest gift of all in this experience was receiving my very own signed copy of my daughter’s book—addressed simply to “Mommy.”
