Friday, May 18, 2012

A bit of a blind spot

A couple of months ago I came home from an unsuccessful shopping trip.  I'd been looking for a new swimsuit for Claire (as can be seen by this picture when C wore her old suit to the gym hers was getting a little small).  


I explained to the hubbs that the only suits I could find had Dora or Disney princesses all over them which is why I came home empty handed.  

I'm just not into that (though clearly I have no problem with Paul Frank)

I don't know what it is about character clothing and shoes but I just can't do it.  I can't exactly put my finger on why, but it rubs me the wrong way--especially on someone so small.  I guess I feel like I'm signing my kid up to be a billboard but them I'm paying a premium for the privilege. 

But this isn't really a rant about clothes with characters.  This is about how on Monday after 2 successful trips to the potty I told Claire that if she wanted to keep going pee in the potty we could go get Dora underpants.  Her interest was peeked.  She talked about it all day, went pee in the potty and off we went.  I passed up the unmarked panties and we went right on to Dora.  She was thrilled.  She talks about them all the time. And when she wears them she spends all of her time in front of the mirror looking at herself and saying, "so cute."

It was the hubbs who pointed out that I seem to have no problem with Dora underpants if they're helping me accomplish what I want.  

He's right.  Turns out my strong opinion is only around when I'm not trying to be diaper free for at least a month before the new baby comes.

And the good news is, my blind spot has turned around to bite me.  Whenever she wears the Dora underpants she pees in them (usually she is in the bathroom looking at how cute she looks and forgets to go).  It's only when she's naked that she can remember to go to the potty.  So, as a good friend put it, the answer seems obvious.  

More naked time at our house.


6 comments:

  1. Hilarious! Made me laugh out loud. Isn't it funny how "selective" our prejudices can be?

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  2. I think that I will go through the same dilemma(s) when I have kids... Even before I read Peggy Orenstein's "Cinderella Ate My Daughter," I was completely against giving in to character clothing (especially the girly princesses barrage of crap), but now that hatred is even worse! Ha! Have you read that book? You should. At least, it will help you process why you're against character clothing. It does leave more questions as to how to not give to it, though. :) At least you're headed in the right direction and solving the root of the problem with more naked time. That sounds perfect to me. :)

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  3. Sallee, this feels very familiar. Arys never liked "branded" stuff, even when she was small. She wanted nothing to do with princesses and truly had a special hatred for Dora! As Claire gets older you will also discover how unbelievably difficult it is to find girls' clothes that don't look like they are made for 18 year olds. Arys called them "inappropriate" clothes... Naked is definitely easier for now! (Oh btw-- have you looked at the Garnet Hill kids clothes? They are too expensive full price, but they have a LOT of sales and the quality is really good. CUTE swimsuits!)

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  4. My rule as stated in summary to others when I'm buying clothes for friends' children: If I know the cartoon's name, I refuse to buy it. (eg - giraffes, bears, dogs etc are fine as long as they are cute and not an established character)

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  5. Did you find a suit? Let me buy one for her! I've been wanting to send something for both little ones!
    Also, ila pees in her Hello Kitty underwear...the only character I will ever purchase for her. I have all dominion over her clothes for the rest of her life. It's my right. :)

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