I was informed the other day that Eleanor wants to get a new thermos. She lost the o-ring from her purple Tinkerbell thermos, and I have so far resisted buying another one for her, on the theory that you shouldn't just replace things that are broken since it doesn't encourage being careful with one's things. I have been sending her with the sippee cups that she has been using since she was a year old, which she has resisted giving up to the point of becoming partly dehydrated when I don't let her use them at home.
Here's how the conversation went.
Eleanor: Anna and Jane said today at lunch, "Kindergartners don't drink from sippee cups!"
Me: That's very interesting.
Eleanor: They are supposed to drink from thermoses.
Me: Eleanor, would you like a new thermos?
Eleanor: Yes! Get the purple one, please. If there is a crayon one, that's the one I want....
Who knew that peer pressure started in kindergarten? The sippee cups are perfectly functional, so the idea that Eleanor has caught on to the fact that other people care what your cups look like takes me aback a bit.
Her request isn't all that unreasonable, I suppose. I have just been blind to the loss in kindergarten status that comes with bringing the wrong kind of thing to lunch---silly me, I was more concerned with whether she actually eats her lunch (that will have to be in another post).
I am also sympathetic, since I think I was behind the curve on every fashion trend I was aware of, and I am confident that there were many more trends I just had no idea about. Garanimals, leg warmers, tunic sweaters, the cool lunch boxes, what have you, I was always bringing the wrong thing to school, wearing the clothes just after they were no longer fashionable, and generally not noticing what was going on.
So I would like to offer a pre-apology to my children, because I can guarantee that as far as their being fashionable depends on me, they will miss out. I can also say with confidence, that although being un-trendy isn't fun while you are going through it, there are definitely worse things that could happen, and not having the latest "in" thing can actually make you a stronger person. As their mother, I am prepared to provide them with many chances for character building by not purchasing everything they desire in order to do what is fashionable instead of what makes sense.
After I get Eleanor another thermos.
Here's how the conversation went.
Eleanor: Anna and Jane said today at lunch, "Kindergartners don't drink from sippee cups!"
Me: That's very interesting.
Eleanor: They are supposed to drink from thermoses.
Me: Eleanor, would you like a new thermos?
Eleanor: Yes! Get the purple one, please. If there is a crayon one, that's the one I want....
Who knew that peer pressure started in kindergarten? The sippee cups are perfectly functional, so the idea that Eleanor has caught on to the fact that other people care what your cups look like takes me aback a bit.
Her request isn't all that unreasonable, I suppose. I have just been blind to the loss in kindergarten status that comes with bringing the wrong kind of thing to lunch---silly me, I was more concerned with whether she actually eats her lunch (that will have to be in another post).
I am also sympathetic, since I think I was behind the curve on every fashion trend I was aware of, and I am confident that there were many more trends I just had no idea about. Garanimals, leg warmers, tunic sweaters, the cool lunch boxes, what have you, I was always bringing the wrong thing to school, wearing the clothes just after they were no longer fashionable, and generally not noticing what was going on.
So I would like to offer a pre-apology to my children, because I can guarantee that as far as their being fashionable depends on me, they will miss out. I can also say with confidence, that although being un-trendy isn't fun while you are going through it, there are definitely worse things that could happen, and not having the latest "in" thing can actually make you a stronger person. As their mother, I am prepared to provide them with many chances for character building by not purchasing everything they desire in order to do what is fashionable instead of what makes sense.
After I get Eleanor another thermos.
Comments
My kids want items with their favorite characters on them, but I don't think they've quite gotten to the point where they want to have what the other kids have in order to fit in. Also, it might not be quite as bad for boys, but that may just be wishful thinking...
Yes, it was awful. Looking back on HS, I'm glad I went through it, but I never want to do it again! Fortunately, I had at least one friend who I felt accepted me =).
I am a big fan of encouraging rational argument. If you can give me an argument for why you need the latest thing, I'll be more inclined to provide it. I'd also like to promote self sufficiency: if you have an accurate perception of your own worth, you are less vulnerable to criticism and more able to change what you don't like, without reference to that other people think. This may be too much to ask from a 5 year old... but it's never too early to start.
I think boys have their own problems with fitting in, but they come later. I'd have to ask my husband, I know he has some terrible stories from his own high school years.
Hi Kadia! I only have the vaguest memory of pettiskirts. I looked them up in google, and I don't remember ever wearing one, so maybe they have changed. Either that or you never let me get one =)