Project Runway: When Your Child Chooses Their "Look"

My son is the ultimate Linus.  Minus the thumb sucking.

Along with being a bit of a philosopher, he is also the the sibling of a strong-willed sister, albeit not as self-absorbed as Mom who has actually played the role of Lucy on stage.  Twice.  I realize all actors bring a bit of themselves to a role, but this one?  Sheesh.  Way too close for comfort. Ask my parents.

The biggest similarity between Zane and Linus is the cherished blanket.  However, my boy doesn't just adore one.  Oh no, he wraps himself burrito-style in a minimum of three blankets every night, while also cozying up to two smaller blankets he has loved since he was born.  In his world, blankets rule. He is literally buried underneath 5 blankets every evening.  Nope, oops.  That's wrong.  I forgot about the blanket my parents recently gave him.  Make that 6.  His behavior makes perfect sense, for as a newborn, he was a tried and true swaddler - resting most comfortably when shrink-wrapped in the blankets that we stole from the hospital.

And you didn't?  Riiiiight.

The weather doesn't make a difference.  It can be 90 degrees, and still, you will find him covered from head to toe - a mummy wrapped for an eternity of slumber.  When I go to check on him before heading off to bed, I literally have to peel away layers of fleece, as I'm fearful he may be unable to breathe, and because I want to steal a kiss.

Clearly, the boy loves the touch, the feel, of cotton.

He is incredibly fabric-conscious.  His blanket loving behavior mirrors his need to wear, what he calls, snuggly clothes. Translation:  Just hand me the sweats, please.

And to make matters worse, if my son had his way, he would walk around in black sweatpants and a black turtleneck everyday.  Topping off the ensemble with a hoodie.  Call it what you will.  We've settled on "uni-bomber", but one could also argue that he's working his "Jr. Goth" look.

Whatever you call it, he's particular.  Not your jeans and t-shirt type of kid.

Do I fight it?  Sometimes. 

I claim picture day.

Church.

Summer.

But, on every other day, you'll find him in his room laying out various outfits composed of fleece, or anything "soft", as he ponders what to wear to school.

And that's just it.

HE LAYS OUT HIS CLOTHES BY HIMSELF.

Why argue with that?

I recently heard the interesting suggestion that we are to train up our kids well enough that we ultimately work ourselves out of a job.  Yes, we'll be their Mamas forever, but at this stage, expecting him to put his dirty clothes in the hamper, his clean clothes in his drawers, and to lay out his clothes for the next day, fosters responsibility.

And his "look".

However curious it may seem.

Does your child have a favorite article of clothing or a "look" that they love sporting every day?

 

Joline Pinto Atkins is a former actress who now uses the web as her world-wide stage and can be founding writing at www.thecuppajo.blogspot.com, www.fithwithjo.com, and www.pittsburghmom.com as the Soccer Mommy Blogger. Joline is wife to one (phew - that's good to know) and mother of two amazing children, aged 9 and 5, who are both named after authors. Addicted to fitness, she sweats out any daily angst by running (not with sharp objects) and weightlifting, and longs for good books, vats of coffee, and an endless supply of buffalo wings - which she will not share with you. So, please, do not ask.