This morning our darling 4 year old daughter, Rhys, changed her mind about the costume she would wear for her Halloween party at school.
Instead of the adorable poodle costume I lovingly bribed encouraged her to wear, she pulled a rumpled, rag-a-muffin princess dress, complete with stretched out bodice, ripped tulle and missing sequins, out of the dress-up bag it’s been jammed in for the past six years.
I had a choice. Let go or force my will on her: rumpled Cinderella or precious, pristine poodle?
I hate that I believe how she looks reflects on me. I wanted her to be the cutest child in the room, garnering “ooohs” and “ahhhs” from all the other parents at the party. So I could feel better about myself.
I had a choice. I kept my mouth shut. (A feat of strength unheard of in the past!)
When Rhys noticed on her own that the tulle of the skirt was ripped and frayed, I rejoiced inside and lovingly handed her the poodle costume. She decided instead to change into a different rumpled princess dress from the dress up bag. Not a poodle-caliber costume, but an upgrade. Again, insides roiling, I shut my mouth.
Yes, she’s an adorable princess! But wait till you see the poodle costume!
I’m grateful for choosing wisely today. I’m hoping that exercising my “shut up” muscle today will make it easier to choose wisely next time. And by next time I mean this evening when she gets dressed as a damned poodle for trick-or-treating!
Does the poodle costume come in my size?
Make any wise choices today?
Who wouldn’t want to be an adorable poodle for Halloween? Rhys loved it during our Halloween dress rehearsal!
Adorable! Aren’t you glad to got the rehearsal shot? Seriously, that is one of the cutest costumes I have ever seen.
Isn’t it sooo cute? She didn’t want to wear it tonight for trick or treating so I guess I’ll be saving it for our future dog! How are you and your family holding up in NYC? I hope you are all well. My niece goes to NYU and is still without power. You?
One of the cutest costumes I saw today. Perfect for her!
Kiran
Thank you! She went with the princess costume again for trick or treating, but at least I have a picture of her in the poodle costume! Hope your Halloween was fun and easy!
SO cute!!! I totally get that push for our kids to meet ‘our’ needs- as you so beautifully described it. However, that poodle costume is friggin’ ADORABLE!! Good for you for allowing her to make the choice.
It took everything in me to let her make the choice, and I’m happy I did. But maybe I can bribe her to wear it to the park? I hate for it to go to waste
!
I love that poodle costume so much! Good for you for letting her choose, but I can see why that was so hard. Great Mom moment
Well, I needed to do something to get back in the running for Mother of The Year!
I do think the costume you wanted does look cooler. However, while I am far from an expert on little girls, wouldn’t the mass majority of them rather be a princess than a dog?
Apparently so! Who knew?
Good for you, mom. That ‘keeping the mouth shut’ thing is a talent I’m still working on. And my oldest son is twenty, so I’m actually using it more these days than ever.
Thank you! I’m inspired to hear you practice this with your adult son! I can only hope to be able to do that! It’s hard enough right now! Thanks for commenting!
I read this awesome post while eating a tamale at Taco del Mar. I have no idea why I felt compelled to tell you that. What I do know is that you’re wonderful. And funny. And brave. And inspiring. Thank you.
You really know me! (Hee, hee!) This is easily one of the most generous, loving comments I’ve ever received. You’re an angel and your timing couldn’t have been better. Thank you!
I’m grateful she’s a real life princess, full or life and imagination!
May she never again say “Ok…I’ll be a dog.”
She’s something alright! And we couldn’t be more fortunate. xoxo