Self-Advocacy

From a February 2023 Journal Entry: 

“Mommy, how many dryer sheets do I put?!” My four-year old yells from downstairs shortly after the washer signals a sound to let us know the load is finished. 

I was upstairs getting ready and I paused, smiled, and responded, “About three or four should be good!” 

Moments later the dryer door slams shut and starts. Bradford and I look at each other and giggle. Broady is 4 and has no issue helping out with sorting, switching, folding & putting away laundry.  It’s because he does not play when it comes to his capsule wardrobe. He is extremely particular about both the feel and look of what he wears. And because of this, he has taken it upon himself to make sure that his clothes are out the night before and that they meet his standard. Broady loves a good long sleeved, gray or black shirt with soft fabric, bonus if it has anything to do with dinosaurs or the Cincinnati Bengals. He feels most comfortable in a pair of joggers or soft, stretchy, dark color jeans. This baby likes what he likes.

I’ll be honest here, some days I’m like, can’t he just wear what I pick out?! Gesh. But no… and why? Because he’s in control of his body. This is the beginning of him creating a sense of style and an identity for himself that makes him feel like his best self. Who am I to take that from him or even block this type of creativity & thoughtfulness?  He will ask us things like, “Can we wash my clothes today because my dinosaur shirt is dirty” or “I am looking for black sweatpants and I don’t have any clean.” 

The message here is simple: if we want our kids to self-advocate, we actually have to let go of some control…. and let them.