I try not to let too many rules run my life. I am somewhat set in my ways, but I like adapting to new situations as they present themselves.

I knew a lot of that would change when we started a family almost eight years ago. I had to watch my language in the house. I needed to cut back on yelling at the TV during sporting events. I might not get a chance to take a nap whenever I wanted.

None of those things really phased me. In order to be a good Dad, I knew I would have to make sacrifices.

I made the biggest one of all at the father-daughter dance for Bridget’s Girl Scout troop the other night. I participated in a line dance.

Under normal circumstances, I celebrate the tackiness of American culture. Some people may find that boorish, but I don’t think we should apologize for our unique way of doing things.

I draw the line, however, at getting in a line and doing the same dance movements in unison at a public event.

I honestly don’t remember the last time I did a line dance. Some friends and I loved to do the chicken dance in college, but that was more of a raucous event after a few drinks instead of family-friendly fun.

I know I will probably upset lots of women with my stance on this issue since they usually lead the charge to the dance floor for one of these numbers, but I can’t think of anything more humiliating than being forced to break this rule of mine.

And that’s exactly why some of the mothers in charge of the dance made sure that we guys had to get up and do the “Cha Cha Slide” in front of our daughters.

At one point, I heard someone say they hoped someone had a video camera to capture the moment. I didn’t see any, but I was one of the guys hiding in the back trying to do as little as possible to draw attention to myself.

When I do go to an event where they play one of those songs, I usualy commiserate with other like-minded guys at the bar. I was stuck this time because the Girl Scout dance didn’t have a bar. It also didn’t have the basketball games on anywhere, but that’s a separate issue.

I really had a good time at the dance. Don’t think that my reluctance to take part in this one activity means that I don’t like to dance. I love to dance. I can cut a mean rug, but I like to do it on my own terms, not in the way that DJ Casper thinks I should.

Dancing should bring out your own unique style, not make us all do the same goofy. I would have gladly embarrassed myself in front of my daughter, but I wanted to do it differently than all the other Dads in the room.

That’s one of my best skills. I shouldn’t have to be stifled by the “Cha Cha Slide.”