So for the last few months, Grace hasn't let me put any type of bow or headband on her head. The second I would put it on her head...even with really good distraction techniques...she would rip it off or pull it over her head on to her neck and bite on it. After many failed attempts, I just gave up for a few months. But as we were getting ready for church yesterday I thought I would try again. So I put her in front of the mirror and I let her watch me put the headband and flower on her head and then I said over and over "pretty girl". She had this huge smile looking at herself, and she left it on and didn't touch it all through church. It was AMAZING. I was a little shocked that it worked so well. Do girls come with that need for praise and to feel pretty built in?
I have been reading a book called "Cinderella Ate My Daughter" for our law school wives book club, and it is a little feminist charged...to say the least. It is all about the "pretty princess culture" that is so rampant with little girls right now. So I felt a little bad that I resorted to such techniques with Grace, but part of me is just happy it worked and she looked girly and pretty at church. I was kind of getting sick of people calling her a little boy.
I actually like that my girls like to be girly. Addie loves princesses and would wear a dress or skirt every day if I let her...actually just this morning she had a break down because none of her dresses were clean and she didn't want to wear ANYTHING but a dress. But Addie also spent her birthday money on a basketball (a pink and purple one but still a ball) and spent the weekend with her Dad at the park shooting baskets. She is practicing up for a sports class she is taking...and she chose that class over the dance one that she usually does. So I think as long as they are balanced, that it is ok that they like to dress up or love the color pink. Maybe it is a culture thing or a marketing/media thing (as the author of that book suggests), but I think some of them come like that.
I do think some people are crazy overboard though. Have you seen the show "Toddlers and Tiaras"? Tom Hanks and his daughter spoofed it pretty accurately...hilarious.
3 comments:
That video was hilarious. And btw, I totally believe that there is a big difference between boys and girls that is innate. Granted, the final outcome is dependent upon both nature and nurture, but you can't discount how boys/girls are. My boys are 100% boys--wild, busy and very active! That's not to say they don't love things that are purple, but preferably when they can be wild and loud with them.
You have such a great take on it, Maureen. Besides, I think a girl being more girly instead of more tomboy is a lot better, especially nowadays with gender confusion and all the battles on that front that are going on. I mean, what a blessing that your girls are celebrating who they're meant to be. There's nothing wrong with being the beautiful, feminine creatures they are, and with a purple and pink basketball to boot. I'm sure you keep them grounded and will continue to do so as they grow up. That's all they need--they're mama watching out for them. Hilarious video by the way.
Hilarious video. Definitely a good way for me to put off grading for a few more minutes.
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