I find it so funny when I see my life as a kid repeat in my daughter’s life. I can vividly remember being so excited over new school clothes that I wore them too soon. I know people always see the way the fashion industry brings the next seasons goodies to the stores so far ahead of time. I realize that it takes time to create, market and disperse their products. However, we don’t need to replicate their feelings of rush rush rush. We need to stand back and enjoy the current moment. Savour waiting and finally being able to wear that heavy sweater or gorgeous fur lined boots when the weather is appropriate.
When I was in junior high school, (now called middle school) I was so excited to have cowl necked sweaters. I just loved the way they curved down and didn’t tuck up under my chin. The 70′s were so full of turtlenecks which I just despised. It was a glamorous and needed change. Well, thank God for deodorant! lol I was determined to wear those cowl necked sweaters for the first week of school. That might be fine for someone living in Maine but in Maryland it was still way too warm in September. I don’t remember my mom warning me it was too hot for them either. She probably knew how excited I was and kept her mouth shut. Let me learn my lesson on my own, kinda thing. lol Boy did I! I was roasting but that stubborn streak of a newly crowned “teenager” wasn’t going to let me admit it. I wore them all week.
The past two days, my just turned 13 princess, decided that since the weather has brought us a nice breeze and a slight drop in temperature, that it was time to start wearing the winter jacket we bought her. I admit, she has had more patience than I ever did. She bought it in August and it’s now early October. You might say she has good judgment! However, you have to take into account one thing, we live in central Florida. lol Yup Our little drop in temperature over the past two days has brought us down to the upper 80′s. When a front goes through here it doesn’t last long. That wind just pushes is right along and off shore.
My daughter’s middle school has a dress policy that girls can’t wear spaghetti string or tank tops to school. If you haven’t noticed layering those tanks is the “in” thing lately. So, Natalia has lots of little shrugs and light jackets to wear over her shoulders for school. They look adorable and have been perfect for dressing up what some people refer to as a “wife beater”.
Yesterday, she decided that she wanted to wear that winter jacket finally. A bit too soon in my experience. So instead of letting her learn on her own, I just said it was a silly idea and that was that. The End. The look on her face broke my heart. I thought about it all yesterday. Was I wrong for putting my foot down? No, it was my job, as a mom, to impart the “wisdom” I’ve achieved. Right? After all, she would have to wear the coat all day (continuously) because she was wearing a tank top! It still nagged at me. So this morning, when she pleaded with me again, I hit upon the perfect solution. I said yes. I said yes-BUT she also had to bring a lighter jacket. I explained that this was just in case she decided for herself that it was too hot to wear the coat as the day heated up. She could keep it in her locker and use her own common sense to switch to it when she finally figured out it was still too hot for a winter coat. I was so pleased with my answer and her face lit up like a firecracker. I love compromise. I love my daughter. She’s such a little me. I also love taking advantage of knowing what she is actually thinking. I still remember the way my mind worked at her age.. That maturing little mind of hers. I’ll let that guide me in raising her. Here come the “teens”.
Business needs to learn to slow down. The fashion industry needs to learn to take a breath. Always trying to get it out there “first” is the theme of business. I just wish someone would learn a little restraint. That feeling of rushing is what makes our lives pass by so fast. It makes our children grow up too soon and we get older faster. Stop putting out the Christmas decorations in September. Let’s just stay in “this” season for a little longer.
Hugs, Claudia
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