Lately I’ve been reading all this stuff about the pressure society and the media puts on girls/women to look a certain way. That no matter how far we’ve come, it’s still about being thin, pretty, and sexy. I even told my husband that instead of picking G up and saying “you look so pretty this morning,” he should say “wow, you are so smart and powerful.” So now we try to think of all these empowering things to say to her first thing in the morning and then crack up because it sounds so ridiculous. But we do it anyway. And then on the other hand, I am so obsessed with her clothes and putting her in these amazing outfits, that maybe I’m just doing a different version of “you look so pretty today.” It’s confusing, this motherhood bag. I mean, I love clothes. I get a high from going to yard sales Saturday mornings while Ev stays home with G and finding the perfect little hoodie for 2 dollars. I can’t help myself. Some days I just sit in her room while she plays and put out different outfits on the rug and take photos. Am I teaching my daughter that looks and what we wear are overly important or am I teaching her that art comes in all shapes and sizes and this is one outlet that can be really fun and exciting?? I really don’t know. I hope it’s the latter but I’m probably messing her up for life. Eh, nobodies perfect. At least she’ll be well dressed.
I like to think of this outfit as a tribute to my Long Island days
This is one of her many Spring/Summer French numbers. After all, her name is Gigi.
She’s actually never worn this but it totally rules and I stare at it all the time. It’s a german designer that I picked up at a consignment shop. I like to think the hat makes it look a little less factory worker.
This is the back and my fav part of her softest hoodie, the little drawn heart tattoo.
Oops, I just realized I forgot the shoes. Next time.
When both my kids (son and daughter) were born, I spent the first months dressing them up in all the adorable outfits I got for shower gifts and taking photos. Most days we’d have multiple costume changes. Now my 16 yr old son likes plain Hanes t-shirts and jeans. I think he’d like to be as nondescript as possible. My daughter(9), on the other hand is a major fashionista. She’s like my little Rachel Zoe, shaking her head at my style choices and always there giving her 2 cents. ( I mean what 9 year old tapes design shows on HGTV?)I say have fun with the clothes. I think she will grow up to be the girl she was meant to be. And don’t you just love a great garage sale fashion find?! 🙂
Thanks Mary. I’m going with it, because frankly, I can’t resist. And I love Rachel Zoe too.
As the mother of 3 little girls, I’ve given a LOT of thought (worry) to the idea of body image in our culture and how to raise a strong woman who is proud of what she can do rather than how she looks. I praise my girls for their strength, intelligence, and capability, and tend to shy away from the words like “pretty” but then they watch me try on several outfits to pick the best one and put on makeup and jewelry, which seems to contradict what I’m saying to them.
I’ve come to realize that it isn’t possible – or at least not practical – to shield them from mainstream media and popular opinion, but it IS possible to instill the filter through which they take it in. Apparently my efforts have not been in vain, as my 4yo said to me last week, “Mommy, it only matters if you’re a nice person or a mean person, right? The other stuff doesn’t really matter, does it?” Score one point for parental influence!!
I’ll give you ten points for that! Nicely done mom. You bring up a good point. I think it’s okay to enjoy fashion and all that, while making the distinction between what’s really important in life. Thanks so much for your thoughts.