One thing I want to try and teach my daughter is that it's OK to be different. Granted I am hoping that this will aid in her not becoming entrapped in a bad group at school but also just for her own confidence.
I think it's safe to say that once I hit my mid teens I came into my own. I had every colour hair inc pinks and blues. I had loads of arm bands, bracelets and a MAJOR obsession with rainbows. I suppose I am still the same. I try to buy "with the trends" but I always seems to end up doing my own thing in the end and the "trend" clothes end up stuffed at the back of the wardrobe! Don't get me wrong I'm not trying to create a mini me but I enjoy being my own person and I'm grateful to my parents for letting me express myself so I want to give Amelia the same option.
Already I do dress Amelia "different". Due to myself and thanks to some very talented friends, a lot of the clothes, hats and other bits and pieces she wears are hand made. At first I started this out of frustration. SO many people kept thinking she as a boy. No matter how much pink we bought or what shop we bought from and then entered the joys of handmade! Everything is MUCH more obviously girly without being covered in frills and bright pink. As it's turned out, the styles from handmade designs seems to suit Amelia more. On one hand it's because she's small and is still wearing 9-12 months clothes, some are even 6 month clothes even thought she is 15 months. Though the other reason is that she already had a wacky personality and the normal store bought clothes just don't seem to match her diva personality!
I won't push her to be "different" of course not. I do, however, want her to dye her hair IF SHE WANTS, wear odd socks, wear mad hats, express herself. Now I'm not going to let my tweenie put permanent dye in her hair but a wash out, sure, why not. I want to raise a child who has her own ideas and maybe more importantly is not AFRAID to have her own ideas. I want her to be confident, expressive, creative and happy with the person she is (or will become)
I love Amelia's clothes.My mom asks me a lot what are you going to do when Emily comes up and what to cut her hair off or wants a tattoo. She can do what she wants with her hair within reason and when she turns 18 she can get a tattoo. I got my first one when I didn't need the consent if that is what she chooses to do then so be it. I want her to do what makes her her own person.
ReplyDeleteWhat a positive attitude Roz. I gave my parents a run for their money when I was in highschool with the hair and the tounge ring and the clothes. But I think I turned out fine. I think that exploration helped me define "me". I'm trying to explain this to an Aunt of mine right now as she watches my younger cousin go through this same phase. :)
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