Mommy Control

This year, for Halloween, I had decided on The Wizard of Oz theme for my kids. My boys were to be the Scarecrow and Tin man, my daughter, Dorothy and our Labrador retriever the Lion.  The kids actually bought into the theme after a well timed movie night where the feature show was, what else, The Wizard of Oz.  My list of materials to make their costumes was made, and I couldn’t wait to get started! 

We attended a birthday party a few weeks ago where the theme was Star Wars.  My boys have never seen the movie, don’t really have any Star Wars toys, but totally bought into the story.  They were given beautiful hand-sewn Jedi cloaks and Lightsabers.  They couldn’t have been more excited.  When we got home from the party, they both told me they want to be a Jedi for Halloween.  I tried, persuasively, to convince them that The Wizard of Oz was a better idea, because all their costumes would go together, and they don’t even really know what a Jedi is.  I got a big “WE ARE BEING JEDIES”. 

Now ordinarily I would push and push and push to have them carry out the plan that I had made.  I could just see the cute pictures with all of them, dressed like the cast to one of the most classic movies ever made.  I stepped back and thought about it a bit more, “why would I go and buy all the materials for these costumes, when I have most of a Jedi costume free, and why would I push them into being something they don’t want to be?” 

Parenthood comes with many sacrifices, sleep, alone time, hobbies, interests, etc.  In my opinion, the most challenging is giving up that Mommy control, for the benefit of my children. 

So, I have relented, the boys will be Jedies, and are happy as clams about it.  In the end, isn’t that all that really matters.  

Sincerely,

From the Stork’s Nest,

Rebecca