Closet Shopping

Because I homeschooled and then private-schooled my children into their high school years, they missed out on certain rites of passage like going to their first school dance, which usually occurs in junior high.  By the time high school rolls around, most schools only do prom, not the standard dance that the younger kids enjoy.  Well, thanks to Covid lockdowns, my children's high school decided to make up for a missed prom by holding a school dance this year and so both my daughters got to attend their first school dance. 

I've always been thrilled to have daughters and have been looking forward to these times when we could pick out their outfits together, do their hair and make-up together, and just generally be excited together for these milestones.  My mother was always too busy for many of these things, although I do remember once she took a friend and me shopping before a school dance and we each had a few new things for our outfits that made us feel pretty couture for the sixth grade.  So, I was so excited to be able to share this with my girls.  Unfortunately, my daughters did not want to go shopping, (not for prom or for this dance) they just wanted to raid my closet.  And they absolutely did not want my opinions or my help on hair, make-up, or outfits (in fact, my oldest got ready for prom at a friend's house and then went out to take pictures with all her friends and I was not invited to to any of it.  Yeah, it felt good). The more I helped, the more irritated they became.  

Well, as sad as I was that I couldn't be a part of this night for them, what I could do was let them shop my closet, shuttle them to and from the dance, and listen while they recounted the events of the evening, all of which I did.  I decided to let it go and not push to hard for my involvement because this night wasn't about me and what I wanted.  In the end, I just left my closet door open and went to find a quiet corner of the house where I could be out of their way so they could shop my closet together and ask each other what looked best.  (Obviously their old mom doesn't know anything about fashion and how to dress.)  I let this night be just about them and what they wanted.  Maybe they'll come around and want me involved at some prom or wedding or something down the road, I hope so, but maybe not.  I'll do my very best to be supportive in any way I can, and if nothing else, they'll know that my closet door is always open. 

Shopping Info:  Cord Skirt from Princess Highway