5 year old style

This is what Zahn wore to school yesterday........

I won't lie. There was a time that I would NOT have let him wear this little ensemble to school (the photo REALLY doesn't do it  justice - it looks quite hilarious). Especially since it's too small in all the wrong places (think one-piece people), it's the fluro-est green you've ever seen, and it doesn't even reach his ankles (I at least made him change his bright red stripy socks he tried to wear with it :) Oh, and it's spandex. Nice ;)

But how can I deny such an innocent happy face. And he really is both of those things. Innocent and happy.

I was sitting in the car laughing so much as I watched him dance his way to the school gate thrilled with his 'Pirate Skeleton' costume (with Michael Jackson socks exposed) for his kindergarten 'sound day'. It made me laugh even harder when I saw other parents walk past, look at his outfit and start smiling (you know the smirking kind of smile that says, 'wow that's some outfit'. Then one of the mums I know saw me and as our eyes met she gave me a knowing chuckle like, '"yeah I know what it's like to send your kids out in public when they dress themselves"......

One day he will look back on the pictures I took and ask WHY? WHY? Just like I do when I see pictures of my 5 year old self with the biggest fringe imaginable and bright blue corduroy pants (love you mum :)

As I drove home I thought about all the things I learn from my kids. Like how something as simple as letting them choose their own outfits not only 'keeps the peace in our home' but also gives them confidence in the decisions they make. They help me to realise that it's more important to give THEM the 'power to choose' rather than make all their decisions for them. Even if it's not what I would choose.

They help me to appreciate individuality and to recognise what is most important.

And my son going to school feeling happy and good about himself is way up there on my list of important things!!