Letting Go

I'm not sure why, but long before I became a mother, I decided that my children would never, EVER wear character clothing. I just couldn't stand to look at the Dora tennis shoes, the Disney Princess pillow cases and bed spreads, character hair ties, and an assortment of pj's ranging from Sesame Street characters to Barbie. You name a character, you can find an article of clothing, or decorative piece for a child to proudly adorn or display in their room.

Well, I wanted nothing of that. Peyton would never wear a character anything. I would put my foot down. Express my rights as her mother. If she became upset, I would pacify her with cute polka-dot pj's, hot pink tennis shoes, sparkly hair bows and ties. She would have to get over it. I am NOT budging on this one! Not gonna happen, no way, now how.

Well, now that my precious baby girl is growing up and can express with her words and actions her likes and dislikes...I am finding it harder and harder to stick with my original way of thinking. It all started with a pair of Dora the Explorer pj's (princess) she received for her birthday a couple of years ago. I hastily threw them back in the bag that they came in, and decided to put them in the back of the closet...she won't find them there.

She found them! So what, right? She'll only wear them in the house. Only I have to look at them. I guess I can handle that.

Who cares that I bought her a real set of princess nightgowns, in the palest of pinks, with sparkles, rhinestones, and feather slippers to boot...so what that they just hang in her closet NEVER TOUCHED and never mentioned.

Next came the Dora slippers, only to be worn in the house of course. When those wore out, another pair of slippers and Batman shoes for Beckham...gifts given to them while I was not around...hmmm.

Slowly, other character items started creeping into my life. Disney Princesses...all of them, Hello Kitty (pretty cute, I must admit), and now Barbie!

I must say, that I had to let go. I had to let it go. Still struggling with this, but happy to say that I no longer cringe at the sight of my daughters brand new, self chosen Hannah Montana pillows and blankets to be used, NOT at home, but at her preschool. I have to laugh at the importance that I put on these things, when they mean nothing in the big scheme of things. However, it means a great deal to her. For her, it is her way of showing her independence and so much more. She is expressing herself, her likes, dislikes. (She did NOT like the shabby chic set of sheets and rose bud pillows that I wanted her to look at). She is becoming more and more independent everyday. I am learning to foster that, and I think I am getting better each day! Another way that my kids teach me to be a better mom. love them so much!