This fall, my daughter, Lily, kicked off her preschool adventure, which means my refrigerator is now a gallery of her art, filled with tales about her friends’ antics, and, of course, the news of picture day.
When I first saw the notice about picture day, I had a mini existential crisis: When did my little girl grow up enough to have school pictures? Naturally, I began to ponder what she should wear and how I’d style her hair to perfection. But then I had a lightbulb moment, remembering the golden rule I try to instill in my kids: Be yourself, always. Regardless of what others think or say, it’s important to be true to who you are inside.
As parents, we strive to teach our children to embrace their individuality rather than conform to societal expectations. So why was I suddenly fixated on making Lily look picture-perfect?
Long before she even knew picture day was a thing, I was already scheming her outfit, planning a crumb-free breakfast to avoid any wardrobe mishaps. I wanted her to look pristine and polished for those first school photos because, well, it’s tradition, right? For generations, parents have meticulously selected outfits, styled hair, and ensured their little ones are presentable for the camera. After all, these photos will be shared with teachers, friends, and family for years to come.
But I realized that this expectation contradicts the very lesson I cherish about authenticity. So, for picture day, Lily (and next year, my son, Max) can select their own outfits. If she wants to don a striped dress with a polka dot sweater and a rainbow headband, who am I to stop her? If her hair is tousled from a day of play at recess, that’s just fine. And a little bruise from wrestling with her brother? That’s just the reality of being 4 years old.
I don’t care if she doesn’t look like she just stepped off a beauty pageant stage. I want her school pictures to reflect her genuine self — the little girl with a messy bun, unique fashion sense, and a zest for life.
At 4, perfection is not the goal, and we all know that. I want my kids to grow up unaffected by the opinions of others regarding their appearance, and it starts now. This lesson should apply every day — not just on picture day. The beauty of these photos is that in 10, 15, or even 20 years, we’ll have a snapshot of a girl who radiated joy from within, even if her outfit didn’t match.
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In summary, let’s embrace our children as they are on picture day, imperfections and all, and celebrate their unique selves.