Letting go and a strong willed child

I've always thought of myself as a pretty laid back mom. I try not to sweat the small stuff, try being the keyword. It doesn't always happen like that.

From the day Ava figured out how to take off and put on clothes, thats pretty much what she's been doing . The girl has her own style, her own taste and has for as long as I can remember. I truly do love that about her, but oh my goodness, as laid back as I think I am, I guess I'm not completly. There's a part of me that wants to control what she's wearing because its usually not what I would pick out for her, almost always not. This is a hard part in parenting. But its her, its her style. Its her way of expressing who she is and it makes her feel good when she's wearing something she likes. ( I keep telling myself that ).

So lately I've had to make myself let go. I can't fight this battle with her anymore.Crying over clothes in the morning before school is just not a good way to start off your day. Ava is a free spirit, she's her own person, she has never tried to impress anyone, not at all.  She simply doesn't care. If she likes it then she likes it, if not then no. I see the way other kids act around her. They follow her, they do what she says.She's a leader. Yes, she can be a bit bossy at times. But also, the best friend you could ever have. And as silly as this sounds, because I was never that kid, I always wanted to fit in and be like someone else. I never felt just cool being me. Not until I was much older, but definatly not at her age.  I look up to Ava for that. I admire that about her, she's my daughter, my 7 year old daughter and I look up to her. I am proud of her for being her. I pray that never changes about her, I pray she stays this way forever.

As a parent and as I get older, I learn everyday. I've leanred that it really doesn't matter at all what they are wearing, is that really what I want to teach my children? No, not at all, its not. Of course, I love cute clothes, and I will dress Evelyn up as long as I can without her turning against me like Ava has;)) But I don't want to send the message that it matters what a person is wearing, that they are a better person for wearing certain clothes. They are, in fact, just clothes. And Ava expresses herself with what she wears, totally fine. Thats who she is. And I don't want to change that.

So, I will back off, encourage, and love every outfit she puts on. Because, thats who she is, thats my Ava. Now, if she ever tries to go to school in a tube top and booty shorts, mama will have to put a stop to that!

 

I love this girl so much!