Earlier this summer, I was walking with the girls to the local dry cleaners when we passed a film crew shooting an episode of a new show for the Food Network.

When we stopped to watch, the director’s assistant approached and asked my 9 yo daughter, Ava, to participate.

Ava was excited and beamed as the crew filmed her walking down the street eating a big cup of Mario’s Italian Lemonade and mugging for the camera. The footage was for a new show called $24 in 24, where the host, Jeff Mauro, tries to feed himself breakfast, lunch, dinner and a snack for $24.

The first episode, filmed in Chicago, premiered last night on the Food Network.

Although Ava has been anxiously awaiting the show’s debut, she was blissfully asleep by the time the show aired.

As the show began, my husband, the remote control and I cuddled together, full of expectations.

I couldn’t wait to see my little girl on national cable television! What would be next? Her own show?! Move over Honey Boo Boo!

Mike and I watched as Jeff Mauro ate cinnamon buns at Ann Sather’s (yum), rib tips with extra sauce at Honey 1 Barbecue (food porn at its finest), and visited Mario’s Italian Lemonade on Taylor Street. Here we go!

“There’s Ava!” I cried. “Where did she go?”

After rewinding/re-watching at least 22 times, I turned to Mike and said, “Well, that sucks! She was on for all of .01 seconds. She’ll be disappointed.”

“Who’s disappointed?” he wisely inquired. I hate when that man is right.

“Fine. You’re right. I’m disappointed. I was hoping she’d get at least 5 seconds of air time. That was nothing! Now, I’ll have to manage Ava’s expectations.”

“Ava might think it’s totally cool that she’s on the show at all. That’s possible, right?” Mike asked. “When we show her the clip, let’s focus on how great it is, rather than how short it is.”

Hmmm. I have to admit, occasionally, my husband is a genius.

He agrees. “If it weren’t for my parenting coaching, where would you be?” he joked.

In this case, he’s right. I typically focus on the negative of any given situation, a strategy that rarely yields positive results. And I’d prefer to manage everyone’s expectations and emotions in advance. It’s a sweet little habit we call – CONTROL!!

Any chance you can relate?

I’m willing to try Mike’s suggestion. We’ll see how well his strategy works when Ava comes home from school today and watches the show. In the meantime, I’ll practice on you:

Hey, everyone! Guess what? My daughter was on the Food Network last night! It’s sooo cool! Wait til you see her!

Just try not to blink … 

My Little TV Star!!
(And yes, that’s A Teachable Mom in the background!)