Comments on: Baa Baa. Black sheep? http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/ Tue, 29 Nov 2011 22:50:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: A Free Man http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/comment-page-1/#comment-4399 A Free Man Sat, 02 Jan 2010 22:42:03 +0000 http://noblesavage.me.uk/?p=739#comment-4399 I must have missed this post the first time round. As someone who stood out like a sore thumb all through junior high and high school and suffered for it, I'm with The Noble Husband. Give them the opportunity to conform and fly under the bullying radar until they can make the decision to be a non-conformist. If they so desire. I know we're talking about 3 and 4 year olds, but they'll thank you when they're 13 or 14. Actually, they won't. But with hindsight they might thank you when they're 33 or 34. I must have missed this post the first time round. As someone who stood out like a sore thumb all through junior high and high school and suffered for it, I’m with The Noble Husband. Give them the opportunity to conform and fly under the bullying radar until they can make the decision to be a non-conformist. If they so desire. I know we’re talking about 3 and 4 year olds, but they’ll thank you when they’re 13 or 14. Actually, they won’t. But with hindsight they might thank you when they’re 33 or 34.

]]> By: the bad aunt http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/comment-page-1/#comment-4324 the bad aunt Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:31:18 +0000 http://noblesavage.me.uk/?p=739#comment-4324 Your post reminded me of an old Dolly Parton song called Coat of Many Colors. You should take a listen to it!! (I am showing my age aren't I) ha ha Your post reminded me of an old Dolly Parton song called Coat of Many Colors. You should take a listen to it!! (I am showing my age aren’t I) ha ha

]]> By: Rosie Scribble http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/comment-page-1/#comment-4322 Rosie Scribble Mon, 14 Dec 2009 22:18:39 +0000 http://noblesavage.me.uk/?p=739#comment-4322 My daughter is 6 and has strong views on so many things including what she wears. A lot of the time she choses something that makes her stand out from her friends and it doesn't bother her at all. I don't think she is really aware that she may look different; she has decided what she is wearing and that's it. She seems to have her own mind and knows exactly what she wants. I am still trying to work her out. I'd like it to be a bit more balanced because I would like to have more of a say over things. My daughter is 6 and has strong views on so many things including what she wears. A lot of the time she choses something that makes her stand out from her friends and it doesn’t bother her at all. I don’t think she is really aware that she may look different; she has decided what she is wearing and that’s it. She seems to have her own mind and knows exactly what she wants. I am still trying to work her out. I’d like it to be a bit more balanced because I would like to have more of a say over things.

]]> By: geekymummy http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/comment-page-1/#comment-4320 geekymummy Mon, 14 Dec 2009 18:38:22 +0000 http://noblesavage.me.uk/?p=739#comment-4320 I think it depends somewhat on the kid. We ran into this for the first time when I took my daughter to ballet for the first time and she was very upset because she was the only one without a costume. I go her one, pale pink as she requested, and just like what 80% of the other kids had and she was delighted. I can tell that she doesn't like to stand out too much, and will probably want to conform. She also tells me "My friends like my shoes", and she notices very much what her little preschool friends wear. How I wish for school uniforms! Her friend, however (also aged 3.5) wears a black ballet outfit, and comes to ballet decorated with stick on tattoos, like a tiny goth. Already, she likes to stand out in the crowd! I think it depends somewhat on the kid. We ran into this for the first time when I took my daughter to ballet for the first time and she was very upset because she was the only one without a costume. I go her one, pale pink as she requested, and just like what 80% of the other kids had and she was delighted. I can tell that she doesn’t like to stand out too much, and will probably want to conform. She also tells me “My friends like my shoes”, and she notices very much what her little preschool friends wear. How I wish for school uniforms! Her friend, however (also aged 3.5) wears a black ballet outfit, and comes to ballet decorated with stick on tattoos, like a tiny goth. Already, she likes to stand out in the crowd!

]]> By: Chloe http://noblesavage.me.uk/2009/12/13/baa-baa-black-sheep/comment-page-1/#comment-4319 Chloe Mon, 14 Dec 2009 14:46:22 +0000 http://noblesavage.me.uk/?p=739#comment-4319 I had a similar issue this halloween, although it isn't such a big issue yet because my daughter is so young. She wanted to be thomas the tank engine, because she had spotted a picture of it in a costume catalogue at her daycare. Except I felt ridiculous putting her in a mass produced costume that who knows how many other kids would be wearing, so I chose to make one for her. I also made my own costume for the same reason. When she is older I will give her more choice in the decision of course, but at this point I feel I should encourage creativity and individuality as something to be proud of so that later on perhaps she doesn't feel the need to conform. That said, if she does decide she'd rather follow the pack then I feel that its up to her- she is her own person and in my opinion if you are happier blending in rather than standing out, that's perfectly fine as long as it's an informed decision and not just blind obedience. I'm just hoping she would choose that for the right reasons, not because she feels pressured. Either way, I'll continue to embarrass her by making my own halloween costume each year ;) I had a similar issue this halloween, although it isn’t such a big issue yet because my daughter is so young. She wanted to be thomas the tank engine, because she had spotted a picture of it in a costume catalogue at her daycare. Except I felt ridiculous putting her in a mass produced costume that who knows how many other kids would be wearing, so I chose to make one for her. I also made my own costume for the same reason.

When she is older I will give her more choice in the decision of course, but at this point I feel I should encourage creativity and individuality as something to be proud of so that later on perhaps she doesn’t feel the need to conform. That said, if she does decide she’d rather follow the pack then I feel that its up to her- she is her own person and in my opinion if you are happier blending in rather than standing out, that’s perfectly fine as long as it’s an informed decision and not just blind obedience. I’m just hoping she would choose that for the right reasons, not because she feels pressured.

Either way, I’ll continue to embarrass her by making my own halloween costume each year ;)

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