To speak or not to speak...?
A dear friend of mine has suggested that everyone blog everyday. Maybe a lofty goal for me, but I figured I would try to rise to the challenge. We'll see how long it lasts. Now for a quick confession...It's been a little over a year since my last blog entry.
What struck me all day yesterday was how conflicted I was over putting my money where my mouth is. You see, I have spent the past dozen years trying to teach my two daughters that it doesn't matter what others say or think about you. It's who you are on the inside that counts. As long as you are happy with yourself, that's all that really matters. Don't give in to the pressure to conform. Be who you are. And yadda-yadda-yadda.
Then, as we were about to leave for lunch and errands as a family, my 11 year old comes downstairs in a startling contrasting outfit. Imagine: stripes, plaids, and other patterns, all in opposing color schemes. It was ecclectic enough that my "break out of the mold" husband bent down to whisper in my ear, "Are you seriously going to let her leave the house like that?"
Good question....and so it began; my struggle with do I say something or not. Am I a better parent for trying to save her from embarassment and ugly stares or comments? Or I am better for accepting her and allowing her to find and express herself? If it really doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, then why I am so troubled with opening the front door?
Well, we left and I kept mum. I decided that sometimes life's best lessons just happen on their own. Whether it would be her learning a styling lesson or me learning to practice what I preach, a lesson would be a good thing for the first day of spring.
What struck me all day yesterday was how conflicted I was over putting my money where my mouth is. You see, I have spent the past dozen years trying to teach my two daughters that it doesn't matter what others say or think about you. It's who you are on the inside that counts. As long as you are happy with yourself, that's all that really matters. Don't give in to the pressure to conform. Be who you are. And yadda-yadda-yadda.
Then, as we were about to leave for lunch and errands as a family, my 11 year old comes downstairs in a startling contrasting outfit. Imagine: stripes, plaids, and other patterns, all in opposing color schemes. It was ecclectic enough that my "break out of the mold" husband bent down to whisper in my ear, "Are you seriously going to let her leave the house like that?"
Good question....and so it began; my struggle with do I say something or not. Am I a better parent for trying to save her from embarassment and ugly stares or comments? Or I am better for accepting her and allowing her to find and express herself? If it really doesn't matter what you look like on the outside, then why I am so troubled with opening the front door?
Well, we left and I kept mum. I decided that sometimes life's best lessons just happen on their own. Whether it would be her learning a styling lesson or me learning to practice what I preach, a lesson would be a good thing for the first day of spring.
posted by Patti W. at 8:02 AM
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