Happy Babies, Happy Mama
When my older daughter, Stella, was a baby, my mommy friends said, “Enjoy dressing her up now! Soon she won’t let you!” Boy, were they right! Kids become shockingly opinionated at a very young age and there is only so much negotiation you can do with a toddler. One week she will only wear dresses; the next week it’s all bathing suits. She wore her fancy shoes to school every day for a month until all of the glitter came off and they were destroyed. I finally had to throw them away in secret.
Each morning, getting the kids dressed can be the most exhausting part of the day. Of course it’s important to give in to some of their desires. I believe whole-heartedly in self-expression and style exploration. The outfits certainly don’t always have to be pristine. A little leeway won’t kill us. I’m grateful my mom let me raid my big brother’s closet for his Yaga and Umbros when I was a kid. Although I can’t deny that I’m slightly embarrassed when Stella wants to wear mismatched pajamas and rain boots to the playground every Saturday, I pick my battles.
My two-year-old, Juliet, is just starting to mimic her big sis with strong convictions about rainbow sneakers versus hot pink sandals because she wants to feel like she is in control. As the tantrums ensue I often find myself cracking up in laughter, which only makes her more upset, but it’s impossible to hold back. It’s important as a mama not to get worked up over these little things. If I find myself stressing about Stella’s refusal to wear the headband she begged me to buy, I can’t help but laugh at myself when I come to my senses. It’s all supposed to be fun. Life isn’t about perfection—especially when it comes to children. It’s ok to let them win.
I obviously prefer when we all agree on what to wear, but it doesn’t happen too often these days. Because I have a huge soft spot for bohemian fashion, I am so grateful my daughters love their Minnetonka boots as much as I do! Stella and Juliet may not have a clue about boho-chic style, but they love the way the fringe moves when they dance and play. I love how equally fashionable and functional the free-spirited styles are. I’ve turned a bunch of my fellow moms onto the adorable, comfortable styles that come in a multitude of colors. The best part is that there are coordinating sandals, moccasins, and boots for us! The feeling of satisfaction I get when we’re all harmoniously dressed is pretty great. It’s all about those small victories, right?
