So, we bought him the ice cream and took about 500 pictures of it. When I finally put the camera away I started noticing the reactions of people passing us. Some people were laughing and pointing out to their families (most in matching t-shirts) "how cute is that!". Others were looking at me in horror like "did you not REALIZE what an enormous MESS this would make? What were you THINKING??
As we walked toward the parking lot I thought about this difference of reaction and I realized that there two kinds of people out there:
Mother number 1-Buys their child an overpriced ice cream bar just to see the delight and wonder in their child's eyes; (and to see how cute their child looks covered in meltey chocolately goodness.) These mothers want their child to experience child-like joy in all things even if the consequences are more work for them or different than what they themselves would prefer.
Mother number 2- Avoids getting their child anything that would cause them to get messy; or heaven forbid- have to leave Disneyland early-to clean up after. These mothers are often more concerned about their child looking picture perfect squeaky clean at every moment than letting their child enjoy their childhood.
I'm not writing this to condemn "Mother number 2"; or to say "ummm, I am like SUCH a fab mother!" Or even to say, "If you don't buy your child ice cream at Disneyland you are evil!!" I am writing this to admit that too often I am guilty of being mother #2. Too often I care more about what other people think and what is most logical or practical, than what will make my toddler happiest. When Tim dresses Chase, more often than not I say, "It doesn't match!" and drag him into his room to put on something more preppy and color-coordinated. Does it REALLY matter if he wears a t-shirt instead of a polo to the grocery store? Does it REALLY matter if his shoes don't match his outfit?
A Mickey Mouse ice cream bar made me realize that I always want to be the kind of mom who cares more about making my kids happy than worrying about making a mess or having to clean up after them. Or- whether or not their clothes match. If it makes my son happy to wear Mickey Mouse pajamas and cowboy boots to the store- Will I let him?
Even though my OCD neatness/matching complex will never go away, I am going to try to be better. Kids are only little for such a short time and someday I'll wish I still had 2T shirts to dress him in- polo or otherwise.
3 comments:
Oh how I feel your inner pain with the matching and OCD. Today I tackled the task of buying Emmi's first pair of walking shoes. HOW IN THE HECK do I buy one pair of shoes to match all her outfits? Or the other thought "How do I convince myself it doesn't matter that her shoes match and let her wear her walking pair which are the best for her little feet?"
So heres to me trying to let Emmi make messes and being ok if she doesn't always match. You are the best Katie!
hahaha sometimes when Halle wants to play in the dirt I just let her run wild. you definitely pick your battles it is the only way to stay sane. The balloon send off is something I am going to do each birthday. The kids will get to let ballons go (number changes depending on what age they are, one for every year) and once they are old enough they can think about a goal they want to accomplish next year as they do it. Almost like blowing out the candles on the cake.
He's adorable covered in chocolate. Lollipops are fun, as well, I've discovered. I get "looks" sometimes, too, for letting Mandy run around stores and pull things off shelves. I watch her! And she doesn't break anything. She thinks stores (esp. walmart) are the greatest place in the world.
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