Emma Dilemma

Emma has been my easiest baby and toddler in many ways. Maybe it's because she is my third child and I have learned to relax. Maybe it's because my older children help to entertain her. Maybe a little of both, but she has been a joy in our family. Having said that..... lately we have started to realize that she wants what she wants and she has a very strong will. Emma has her own fashion sense at 2 years old and has decided that dresses are the only acceptable clothing for a girl. It can't be just any dress, it's got to be pink, or have something shimmery, or ruffles on it. Sometimes I can convince her to wear a skirt, but sometimes to avoid a power struggle I run errands with her wearing princess dress ups. On cold days when she has her heart set on a summer sundress hanging in the back of the closet, I carefully convince her to wear a shirt under it and sometimes I can even slip a pair of stretch pants on under the dress. Other days she wants to wear her more formal dresses which just aren't appropriate for playing in. Those are days we spend 20 minutes going through every item in her drawers and after many tears she finally gives in , but sadly announces she doesn't look like a princess. To help this issue, she and I went shopping together and picked out several little dresses that are okay for everyday wear. We filled her bottom drawer with clothing that both she and I approve of , that way she can get up , choose her own outfit and dress herself in the morning. Phew, so far that has worked pretty well.

Our next issue has become the real dilemma. Emma has the most beautiful red curls that bounce when she runs. I love them and I must admit she gets a lot of attention from perfect strangers who have to stop and admire her hair.
Recently, Emma has decided that she wants to do her own hair in the mornings and even throughout the day sometimes. She brushes it, and brushes it, ..... and then brushes it some more. Anyone who has curly hair knows that brushing it only makes it bigger. It was funny and a little cute at first, but lately it has become a real problem. At first, we decided that we would take turns. She can fix her hair first, and then I would fix her hair last... That seemed like a good idea, but she is no dummy and quickly put together that I was only messing up what she considered to be beautiful. Now, I fix her hair in the morning and then she takes out whatever I did and does it the way she likes. She'll walk down the stairs and proudly show off her new hair do.

This was todays!

It's hard for me to let her out of the house looking like this. Sometimes I can sneak the water bottle and spray it down as we head out the door, sometimes I can't. I guess I just have to swallow my pride and hope people understand that she is well cared for and no, she is not an orphan. I must admit though, it is a big dilemma for me.