Perspective

Kids teach you about perspective. Abbie came home earlier this week excitedly babbling about her afternoon adventures. Her class went on a hike in the woods, and she had a grand time -- even finding her very own stick. (In the woods no less! And, she wants to take the family to visit it.) But prior to the adventurous hike, she got to make another trip -- to the school's Lost and Found department. It would appear her teacher didn't think she had a warm enough jacket for the excursion, so Abbie was instructed to rifle through Lost and Found and "borrow" a coat for the afternoon.

And therein lies the problem. You see, I'm not a neglectful mother. I'm well aware that sweatshirts aren't warm enough for 40 degree weather. But, I choose to pick my battles. The child is 7. I thought by now she could determine whether she was cold or not, learn a lesson, and choose appropriate clothing for the future. Or not, and suffer the consequences. Like many parenting lessons, the joke is on me. I'm embarrassed to be perceived as the parent who can't dress her child appropriately, while my child is perfectly delighted. Shopping in school! She can't wait for an opportunity to do it again.

And the irony is that more than likely, she would have been absolutely fine in her sweatshirt. I usually wear 1-2 more layers than she does. I complain that I'm cold. She complains that she's hot. So as embarrassed as I am to have a child inappropriately dressed, I still have to believe that she's the better judge of whether she is hot or cold at this point. But once it starts snowing -- full snow gear will be sent whether she wants it or not!