If you’ve been visiting my blog for any length of time, you’ve probably noticed that my middle son has a certain hat on in just about every single picture I take of him. This is the one…
While shopping in a TJ Maxx over a year ago, the boys found a bin of hats that they then proceeded to model for us while they were waiting. Matthew tried this one on and we instantly knew he had to have it. It just fits him and his personality perfectly. What I didn’t realize that day was that from that moment on, the hat would rarely leave his head. He gets comments and compliments about it all. the. time!
Generally I don’t mind it, but I also really like his head and would like to see it more often! In fact, when we went on vacation recently I specifically asked him if he would let me take some pictures of him from time to time without the hat. Without even thinking about it, he declined.
So I was faced with a choice … do I force him to take the hat off or do I just let it go, realizing it’s just a phase and not worth the battle?
Obviously I’m his mom and it’s well within my authority to force him to do what I want him to do – including taking his hat off for a picture (or two, or three, or … okay, you get the idea!) – but I’ve also learned that there are times when we parents have to pick our battles wisely. Some issues are no brainers and are absolutely not up for discussion, but there are a lot of other things that are just simply not worth fighting about. To me, wearing the hat in pictures is one of them.
In the end, the hat stayed on but I still got lots of cute pictures of my favorite middle (hat-wearing) son!
My older son had a dr. pepper hat that didn't leave his head for what seemed like years! It finally got too little for him plus it was just worn out and disgusting!
ReplyDeleteLately I have found myself trying to say "yes" more. My instinct is usually to think - you need to obey and I want you to do xyz, but most of the time it's something that truly doesn't have to be done my way, and so I'm trying to say "yes" whenever possible (and thus have fewer battles with my 3 year old). For example, if I am planning to read 1 book to her while she's in bed, and she wants to read 2 books. I figure it's better to just read 2 as the length of time we'll discuss/she'll cry about not reading the 2nd one is longer than reading a 2nd book. Easier to say sure I'll read 2 books. :-) Ruth
ReplyDeleteI say that this captures this particular chapter in his life well! And just think... someday when he was older and decides our style now was crazy (we all do eventually) you will be able to tease him with the fact that he has that hat on in ALL of his photos, hehe!
ReplyDeleteWell it may not be a phase - he may have found his security blanket and the thing that he later identifies with as the root of his personality...but that's okay, it's so appropriate for him. Give it time, he'll eventually toss it but for now, I think it looks great!
ReplyDeleteOh a hat! It looks great and would be better than my kid's wild hair at times! I have to be very selective in the battles I choose with my middle child or it would be a constant fight at his current stage.
ReplyDeleteGreat, happy shot!
I so understand what you are saying! Some things are not worth the battle - because our aim is not the battle it is eternal things. And a hat well that just isn't going to matter. Not to mention he has great taste in hats and looks good in them! :-D
ReplyDeleteXOXO