Don't you love it as a parent, when you let your kids do things you were pretty sure you never would? Well today, A. got her fondest wish. A makeover at Club Libby Lu (you can stop the shrieking now). I was feeling a little bad for her. Her first day of a two week art camp was cancelled because the teacher is sick, and she got stuck running errands with me. Guilt is often part one of giving in.
I think I have a serious philosophical issues with a six year old getting a "makeover". What does that even mean? At Club Libby Lu it means sparkle eye-shadow, lip gloss, nail polish and a choice of fancy hair-dos (in our case a blond wig). I fear the self-esteem issues that come later, wanting to change, look different, etc. But then again, she's only 6, and is it really more than dress up? Is it different from a princess dress? I'm not really sure. I decided that letting her get sparkle makeup and a blond wig, really isn't going to be the end of the world or the beginning of teenage angst. Maybe not making a big deal about it is actually a way to allow her to experiment and tell her that it's ok to look however she wants to. Maybe there is no right or wrong. Face it, we all make choices about how to present ourselves. We decide to wear make-up or not, or to wear a sweat suit or a less comfortable/more flattering outfit. While we don't want our kids feeling that they have to change or be different than they are, how do we tell them it's ok to be whoever they want to be if we have limits letting them be?
I think Derby girls are very empowering for girls of all ages. They come in all shapes and sizes, wear short shorts and skirts, ripped fishnets, and many have tattoos. They are physically strong and agile, and are having outrageous fun. I bet one or more of them liked girly-girly wigs or dress up when they were 6.
So for that moment, my fears didn't rule me, but I did make sure to tell her that she is most beautiful when she looks like herself (this is in addition to the all the times I've told her she is most beautiful on the inside). It's not one wig, I guess, that I worry about, but a whole culture that will tell her how she should look. So I will do what I can. Among other things I will don my Derby Lite outfit (skirt and tights or fishnets, funky kneesocks, skates and gear) get strong, and have outrageous fun. What better way to show her how to be for herself?
P.S. She took off the wig after about 5 minutes, and has worn it only intermittently since.
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2 comments:
Playing dress up was always one of my favorite things to do as a kid (and I was a big tomboy). It's an outlet for creativity. That or she really wants to be a drag queen when she grows up (which I don't think is the case).
So, when are you getting your tattoo?
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