My mom is accusing me of being a bad parent. Not in so many words. Not very shocking. I don’t help the boys pick their outfits. I just make sure it’s weather appropriate. She thinks I’m neglecting an important lesson.
And I rolled my eyes.
Kids should be able to express themselves through dressing. They’ll figure out fashion sense. I love Evan’s and Sean’s outfits. Sean is usually grab the first pair of pants/shorts and shirt kind of guy. But Evan puts thought into his outfits, even if they’re a little unique. I never had a problem. Even with capes, full baseball uniforms, plaid with stripes, plaid shorts, clashing colors, tuxedos. It was great.
I regretted it today.
Evan walked down stairs in a blue-and-white-checkered, long-sleeve, button-up shirt and blue-orange-black plaid shorts that reached under his knees.
My jaw dropped.
“Oh my,” escaped my mouth in a whisper.
Evan: What do you think, Mommy?!
Um.
What?
Um.
Crap.
Me: You definitely have style, Evan. Can I take your picture?
He nodded.
Sean: Look at me, MOMMY!
Sean was wearing black camo pants with a Lego Star Wars shirt and a fireman boot and a cowboy boot. Sean was normal.
Sean: Take my picture!
My mom just might be right.
April 12, 2012 at 11:26 am
When Miss D. was three, she went through a phase where she would wear nothing but a pink tutu and a Superman t-shirt. I let her. My mother was horrified.
April 12, 2012 at 11:38 am
Some day you will at that picture and laugh.
April 12, 2012 at 11:45 am
No matter who dresses my kids, they make the same fashion statement, which is “my mom shops a thrift stores.”
April 12, 2012 at 3:18 pm
I have the opposite problem, my kid has way more fashion sense than I ever will. I try to encourage her but worry that it’s like the blind leading Superman (with super eyesight). I do hope maybe she’ll teach me a thing or two some day.
April 12, 2012 at 7:06 pm
I say pick your battles. I’d rather have a kids with manners than matching shorts. I have to agree that clothing is a rather safe way to let them express yourself. Evan is probably just a trend setter!