Anyway, as you know, right now Annalise and Violet do not go to daycare. We have the wonderful Erin (who is seriously the world's best babysitter) coming to the house 3 days a week. However, I love to dress both girls to the nines each and every day. Annie always has a matching bow in her hair and is completely coordinated from head to toe. And Violet, although still little, gets the star treatment too, with cutey little outfits and matching socks and headbands...
This past week my BFF Bramble was visiting, and we were heading out (with both kids) to go take a class at the gym. (Which, BTW, is SO much easier with a second pair of hands to help wrangle the kids and get them into the gym daycare.) And, since Annie had gotten food on her pants, I changed her into a whole new- completely adorable- outfit before we left. Bramble laughed at me and said 'do you always dress the kids up to go to the gym?'. And, I realized, yes, yes I did.
But why? Am I superficial? Do I worry too much about appearances and material things? Do I see my kids as little accessories (a la Jessica Simpson and the unfortunately named Maxwell)? I started thinking about it all and these are the conclusions I came to:
1. Appearances do matter. Although the girls are too young to care right now, I really do think people judge based on the way someone looks, and my theory is that people are nicer to cute, well put-together kids. (And since gym day cares aren't always the highest caliber, I want to do whatever I can to ensure 'quality' care.) <Also, when I'm being honest, cute, well put together kids do help to make me look more well put together. We don't coordinate outfits or anything, but a posh tot on my hip can certainly complete an outfit ;)>
2. If you look good, you feel good. We all know this to be true. When you put on an awesome outfit and do yourself up, you feel good about yourself. (says the lady wearing an oversized sweatshirt and yoga pants, with no makeup on and hair in a messy pony-tail). And, when you feel good, you are happy and have confidence. And what more could anyone want for their kids than to be happy, confident people? They are certainly too young now to derive happiness or confidence from the way they look, but I don't think there is anything wrong with starting early.
3. But where do you draw the line? I think there is a fine line between having an adorably dressed kid and creating a kid who is overly concerned with their superficial appearance. I want these girls to always be confident with the way they look, but I also want them to be kids and to get dirty. I don't want them to worry about what they are wearing or how they look for many, many, MANY years. Ignorance is bliss, and I sincerely wish for a decade (or more) of naiveté and cluelessness on their behalf! But can I have both? Can I raise adorably dressed, well-put together kids who could care less about how they look? Or, am I creating a monster(s)?
Definitely things to ponder. Or, is this entire post just completely ridiculous?
#FirstWorldProblems
Adorable babies or divas in the making?
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