Embracing the Glitter

Seven years ago I had just gotten pregnant, I had a tiny bulldog puppy, and I was so excited about all of the change that was coming. I had no idea that growing in my uterus was a being that I’m pretty sure emits glitter.  Literally, no part of my life has been untouched by the evil that is glitter. It’s in my bathroom (I can’t explain this), it’s in my dryer lint, it’s in my car, it’s EVERYWHERE! At any given moment I have a craft store supply of glitter at arms reach.

When she was two or three I tried really hard to rid our house of glitter. Our crafts were glitter free. Our costumes were glitter free. But still, it was everywhere!  I couldn’t explain how it was happening! This is when my belief that the child self-produces glitter began.

By the time she reached age five, she was a glitter fiend. If it shined she needed to have it. Why use a pencil when you could use a GLITTER pencil? Why use glue when GLITTER glue is a thing? Why wear a plain shirt when you could wear one that shines?  Plain colored shoes? No way. Her favorite Moana song? “Shiny”, the anthem of the deep sea villain! I think you get the idea.  Sparkle and shine was the key to this little girls heart. 

At age six a switch flipped. No, she didn’t stop liking shiny things, I stopped objecting. I bought the pencil, glue, and clothes. I embraced the crafts and costumes. All of a sudden I saw my baby turning into a “little kid”. That little kid will too quickly become a big kid and outgrow the desire to drench everything in sparkles.  She might start wearing all black as a teenager. I found myself missing the baby days and decided to just embrace my little sparkle fiend for all that she is. The smile and gasp at all things sparkly are worth it. 

The good news is when she’s a moody teen and I’m missing my little kid and years past, I’ll still be finding glitter and those memories will come flooding back!

What things or activities have you fought your kid on, but finally decided to embrace?