Revelation

So this morning, I had a revelation. It's amazing that just two days ago I announced I would be leading a parenting Bible study, and today I received affirmation as to why it is needed.


I am a mommy of a little girl.

A typical girl.

An opinionated girl.


Every Sunday morning there is a lengthy discussion on what to wear. My thoughts rarely are parallel to her thoughts.

Every Sunday I ask the same question. "Dress or Pants??" Every Sunday she gives a different answer. Some Sundays I get more than one answer. Those Sundays are difficult.

Just this past Sunday, Little announced she wanted to wear a dress. I love to see her wear a dress. If my memory serves me right, this past Sunday was gorgeous. I thought it would be wonderful to let her wear a beautiful, short-sleeved mustard colored dress. She has a pair of shoes that match perfectly.

The conversation goes something like this:

Little: "My not wear it."

Mommy: "You don't want to wear it? I like it. It is so pretty."

Little: "My not want to wear it."

Mommy: "Well, let's just try it."

Mommy makes an attempt to put it on.

Little, with flailing arms, tears in her eyes: "Nooooooooo. My not like it. My not wear. Noooooooo. My wear my pink shirt."

Mommy realizes that she wants to wear something pink. Not mustard. Pink. Mommy gets it now.

So, we slip on the pink dress. Life is perfect.





Today, as I read an uplifting newsletter, I am reminded of this past Sunday. However, I see it in a different light.

The newsletter tells the story of a young girl, about twelve, whose grandmother made her a skirt. She goes to school, only to recognize that no one likes her skirt. She goes home at lunch to change her clothes.

Ever wonder why we, as women, need approval before we wear certain things? If you ever wore something that everyone else didn't appreciate, now you know.

So what am I doing to my two-year old? Am I setting her up to need the approval of others?

Why did I tell her that I like the mustard-color dress? She did not want to wear it.

Are dresses really that important?

Who knew that our discussion on dresses, with time, may create her to seek the approval of peers?

She may always seek my approval, with the exception of those few years when she is discovering who she is. You may remember them. From about 11 to around 21. Who's approval will she be seeking then?