When's a mom too old to dance?

So when does a mom get too old to shake her groove thang on the dance floor at a wedding?? I'm not talking mother-of-the-bride slow dance to a sappy country song, and when I say "shake her groove thang," I'm not referring to anything vulgar that would be inappropriate for any good girl.

I'm just wondering if there's an age limit for moms to get up and dance when they're at a wedding and good tune pops on?

Like, am I supposed to just sit at the table with all the other moms and grandmas and just watch the young kids dance silly to MC Hammer's Can't Touch This? Can I table dance? Ya know, like sit in my chair and move my upper body to the beat but still remain seated so I don't embarrass my aging self. Or is that inappropriate too? Am I supposed to just bop my head and smile like my grandma does, and that be sufficient for the evening, even though some of my very favorite dance songs are blaring in the speakers beside me?

Or am I supposed to only get up to dance when they play the oldies but the goodies? So when a Bee Gees song comes on, or on the rare occasion an ELO or ABBA song, then is it OK for me to get up and dance? I was a kindergartener when those groups were popular, and in college when MC Hammer and Marky Mark were hits, but for some reason I'm looked at funny if I want to dance to the parachute pants-wearing rappers.

I've been to several weddings in the past 10 years and never thought it was wrong for me to dance. As far as I know, I was never made fun of, and often joined on the floor by other wedding goers. However, for the first time, at a wedding two weeks ago, I didn't feel so comfortable anymore. There was a great DJ at the reception who played some great music.

I sat at my table by the dance floor for over half of the reception, eating and table dancing and watching the kiddos display their best running man and sprinkler moves.

I won't lie, I wanted to get up and dance and could have the whole time but most people my age stayed glued in their chairs, smiling at the young kids having the time of their lives to the latest techno songs.

After watching several tables of guests clear out and head home, I finally felt like I could get up and dance without embarrassing myself or any close family members, so I jumped up and hit that floor with gusto. I was having a rockin' time boogying down with all the kids and 30 somethings, not feeling out of place at all. But right when I was feeling the beat without a care in the world, one of the young, cute 30 somethings leans over and teases, "Be careful! Don't throw a hip out!"

WHAT?! Throw a hip out?! Are you kidding me?! People in their '80s throw hips out. The very most I could possibly do is pull a hammie, maybe twist an ankle. But throw a hip out? How old does she think I am? Now I know she was joking with me, but a little part me thought that maybe it was time for me to sit out of the young crowd and return to my table dancing. I stayed on the floor but toned it down a little thinking maybe if I danced more reserved I wouldn't be so obvious, or look so dangerous to my hips.

Anyways, maybe that's another one of the unwritten rules after you turn 40, like wearing skirts past your knees, one piece swimsuits instead of bikinis, and whatnot.

Guess I'm still learning but not dancing may just be one of those rules I will choose to ignore, even if I do throw a hip out!