I remember the fun I had dressing my daughter when she was in first grade. I shopped at boutiques and bought the finest items that my budget would allow. I even rolled her hair up in sponge curlers so her hair would be ultra curly. She was adorable.

I had already bought most of her sweaters for second grade when they were on sale the previous year. Some were faux fur-trimmed and some had bling on them. They were absolutely gorgeous and I looked forward to dressing her up like a doll in second grade.

That never happened. Nope, my little doll decided in second grade that she was going to wear jeans and t-shirts.

I tried to reason with her. She said, “that is what everyone else is wearing and that is what I want to wear.”

I looked at the beautiful sweaters in her closet and wondered what had happened to my little girl.
I knew that the fashion gene was in my blood. It had skipped over my sister though, had it somehow passed over my daughter also? Please say no!

I had to let go of my daughter and allow her to become what she wanted to become at the tender age of seven. It hurt. Then I remembered how I had been as a child

My mother had sewn a couple of outfits for me when I was a little girl. She thought they were so cute. Only problem was they were double-knit polyester. They felt horrible. I think I may have worn them once but from that point on, never again.

She ended up giving them to a neighbor girl whose father had died. That girl told everyone at school they were new. My friends were upset about this. I really didn’t care what she said about those outfits as long as she was wearing them and not me.

Knowing that I had cast off items which my mother had valued I allowed my daughter to do the same.

As I allowed her to be her independent little self I started to see a transformation.  I saw style coming back in her wardrobe and I would compliment her each time I saw her looking beyond fabulous. (which has become a habit for her)

By the time my daughter was a senior in high school she got the “best dressed award” in a class of over 400 kids.  Every time I see her I think she looks wonderful.

Sometimes the easiest way to get a kid to do what you want is to not make them do it. Let it be their choice. If you have chosen wisely in life it is a good bet they will too.