"Every day is a performance for Aislin"

Lately Aislin has been very creative and adamant about her attire. To put it nicely, she has gone to school looking like a hobo on several occasions.  She is a creative child,  she loves to paint, loves music and dancing, and loves to create. She is quite imaginative and has a flare for  aesthetics. Her taste is usually in line with mine, but lately, well, maybe the long months of cooler weather have finally gotten the best of her. A few of her outfit combinations have been simply dreadful. Luckily her teachers understand that she is "one of the children who picks her own clothes" as they told me one day. I think the real horror for most parents is the thought that other adults might think that we are less than perfect parents for allowing our children to leave the house looking atypical or less than perfect. Don't get me wrong. I am a perfectionist and it would be impossible to deny it, so I won't. If I could I would have both of my children looking as if they just stepped off the runway or out of a catalog if I would.

When the interesting outfit combinations first starting emerging from Aislin's room I braced myself for a fight, determined that she would wear what I thought was appropriate. But once I saw the thought processes behind her outfits and accessories and the pride and sense of accomplishment Aislin seemed to feel by putting together her outfits I decided there will be many fights to be fought in the future about things that really matter. This time, I am going to let go and roll with it. I  knew we must be desensitizing to the outfits when one day Brent commented, "Well, this one is not so bad." (And that was referring to a navy blue, stripped dress with pink tights, a red hair bow and brown Mary Janes with pink flowers.)

As I write now she has come to me three different times and asked me to add in hair accessories, none of which match. But they are all in. The pink bow, the yellow clip, and the purple barrett. As she walks down the stairs with Brent I hear her say "I decided what I am going to wear tomorrow." I stop and think, as a parent isn't this what I want? Especially in a girl. A child that can make decisions, be proud and confident of her decisions, and strive to be independent? Yes, she is only three, but it has to start somewhere. I could easily overrule her choices and win. But what do I win? The outfit of the day? Other peoples opinions of me and how my child looks? I'd rather win in the long run and have a strong, independent and confident girl.

The other day as Aislin and I arrived to pick up Blaine from school she ran tapping down the hall to greet her beloved sibling. The lady in the front office asked, "Oh, did she have a performance today?" This was in reference to the red eyelet summer sun dress, with red winter tights, Christmas headband, and black tap shoes. My response with a genuine smile, "For Aislin, everyday is a performance!"