When to wear white

I give Lily lots of advice. That's my job. I can tell when I'm doing it, too. All I have to do it look at her and watch her eyes glaze over and her posture sag. Yep, I must be giving advice again.

I was at the nursing home yesterday morning and didn't go to church with Paul and Lily, so it wasn't until I emptied the laundry hamper this morning that I saw what she wore: a very summery white skirt and summery turquoise top.

And my first thought was, I'm ashamed to admit: Oh no! She wore THIS after Labor Day?

And my second thought was: Why ever not?

It's not like it's cold. It's just not 100 degrees. And I've given her so many rules, mainly about behavior, which I guess this falls into. With all the weight of a feather.

She can wear white all year long. Let her live her life without that burden. In fact, I've already stretched the white rule. You can wear white after Easter (or on Easter). No need to wait for Memorial Day. Who made up this rule anyway? Let me give her advice about something that matters.

Then, in 15 years, I'm sure she'll be calling me: "Mom! I'm so embarrassed. Why didn't you ever tell me to stop wearing white after Labor Day?"

Comments

[Angela]

good one! I was just thinking this with my two girls the other day. I've got one that likes to wear animal prints with stripes!!! Hey if she can live with it maybe I should just look the other way. I'm thinking they may need a "What not to Wear" for the grade school population!!!

[Anne]

The middle school population wants to have a "What Not to Wear" for me. Apparently, I wear my pants too high. I see ads for high-waisted pants, which probably means that soon I won't be wearing my pants high enough.

As for the stripes and animal prints, she might just be a trend setter. Next year you and I will be wearing just such a thing (with my pants still in the wrong place).

My excuse/consolation is that I read somewhere that children who are allowed to choose their own clothing are less likely to do drugs. Something about feeling empowered to make their own choices. Still, there will be no cleavage (top or bottom) or naked belly buttons in this household except at the beach. And I wonder who wrote that study?

It's so hard to know. We'll do our best, and they can go to therapists later in life.