I Learned

I did an experiment this week. I had read an article where a mom allowed her toddler to pick out her clothes for a week, and for some reason it really inspired me. We, as parents, are constantly telling kids what to do, what they can and can't wear (No you cannot wear a tank top on christmas day!), so why not switch roles and let them pick out some clothes. I gave each of them one day and let them pick whatever they wanted for me. I promised I would wear it whatever it was. 

Day 1

BigR picked out thick fleece PJ pants, a men's grey long sleeved shirt and a long light grey cardigan/jacket. This is very him. Recently we have been having tiffs because he has been wearing his PJ pants out in public under his jeans and then wearing them to bed, and repeating for days on end. I am assuming this was his mini rebellion as I was now wearing PJ pants during the day. He was quick to remind me that I couldn't wear them to bed that night. 

Day 2

K picked out flowing capri fairy pants, a grey tank top, a light brown long sleeve shirt, a royal purple sweater, a bright red jacket (that I wasn't allowed to zip up) and an ear warmer/head band. It wasn't too bad except for the royal purple and the red together - they didn't really work. K is very into fashion and creating layers so even though you couldn't see all 4 of my top layers, just knowing they were there was enough for her. My top was warm and my bottom was cold. 

Day 3

M didn't want to pick out my clothes. He gets very overwhelmed when it comes to decisions and usually will avoid making them if need be. 

Day 4

This was LittleR. We have grey dress paints, an orangey/yellow skirt, a bright red long sleeved shirt, a striped grey/black sweater, and a purple and blue hat. Given that she is the most weird and random of the bunch this outfit does not surprise me. It was the only one I was slightly self conscious about going in public in. It's very loud, what with the orange skirt, ad very much does not match. 

What I learned from this is that the kids all did things and picked clothes that suited their personalities and where they are in life. They all said, those who participated, that they had fun with this and would like to do it again. I learned it's okay to let go of a little bit of control over the things tat don't matter. Who cares if I don't match, or wear orange read, or an ear warmer when I don't need to. I didn't get near as many looks as I thought I would while walking to work, and my co-workers loved seeing my outfits each day. Maybe I'll do this again some day when J can participate. 

We are trying to get things in order. Paying bills that have to be paid, getting assistance with one's that can wait a bit. We are all having to be adults here; sort of. Glassman has always struggled when it comes to finding work, he has always had work fall in his lap or someone get the job for him - lucky bastard! This time, however, no one was doing that, and he wasn't doing all that much to help himself either. So we al sat down one night and had a not so fun argument about money and bills and jobs and responsibilities. There were hurt feelings, and some anger. But what came out of it was Glassman applying for a job, and him actually getting it the next day. It's a siding job, so it's not something that he has really dome before, and it's in Victoria but at least, for the time being, he is employed again. Thank goodness! I was looking at having to get a part time job in order to supplement income and there was no part of me that was looking forward to that. 

I also want to mention that I have been thinking a lot about my niece lately. She was found to have only one functioning kidney - though the other is ridiculously strong and has compensated. They are determining what type of surgery to do and then they will remove it. I can't imagine how hard this must be for my sister, or for my niece who has much strength as she never expressed anything past a little discomfort through this whole thing.