Monday, August 16, 2010

A word about bows.

Note:  I am leaving the children's faces out of these images to protect their identity.  

Alright.  Anyone who knows me well also knows that I have never liked big bows on little babies.  They have been known to be called them "brain squishers" amongst my sisters, close friends, and myself.  Of course I continued to refer to them as such while I had 4 little boys.  Then suddenly, a girl is born in the Lambert household, and I am now so conflicted!  

Confession:  Sometimes I like them.  

Now let me elaborate.  I think as with everything, there is such thing as over the top.  BUT, last week I had Harper wear a plain headband with a simple little daisy attached to it.  It was darling.  Let me relay my Relief Society neighbor's comments to you.  (The carseat where Harper was sleeping was facing away from her when I first sat down.)

Sister so-and-so:  "Oh, she's getting so big!  You don't have her wearing one of those brain-squishers do you?"
Me, turning Harper around sheepishly:  "Yes, we get all dressed up on Sunday, right?"
Sister so-and-so:  "Oh my gosh!  I HATE those things!  I think they are just horrible!"

Okay.  Thank you for that.

Next experience.  Last night we traveled to Ogden to celebrate my awesome mama's birthday.  It was Sunday, and Harper was wearing a plain white headband.  May I note that it was NOT TIGHT, nor was it gaudy.

Aunt so-and-so:  "Oh no!  Have  you got her wearing one of those brain squishers?!  I just can't stand those things!  When (her granddaughter, who shall remain unnamed) brings her daughter over with those things on her head, we pull them off as soon as she leaves!"

At this point, Harper, who has been sleeping, begins to stir.

Aunt so-and-so:  "Ohhhhh, poor baby!  Is that thing squishing your brain?"

Okay.  Not sure how to respond.  I did remove the headband, but now I'm wishing I would have gone and gotten some massive flower to attach to it at that point.

So what is the moral of this story?  I don't really know yet.  I'm still sorting out so many girl-baby issues right now.  I will say that as with any preconceived notion any of us has in life, it is bound to be challenged at some point, and we may even have to admit that we are wrong.  

As for big bows, I don't know what it is about them that gets people's danders up, but it's kind of funny.  Kind of, now that it's me they are accusing of child abuse by using them in my first and only daughter's hair!  Step off, people!  I don't know what I'm doing here! And I didn't know so many people would share their opinion with me!

13 comments:

Mrs B said...

Haha! Oh, aunt so&so gives me her opinions all the time- don't sweat it. But I hear ya. I'm sure you also get the crap for your boys's longer hair. Seriously, if I wanted your opinion on longer hair on boys I'd ask. & I don't know that many little girls who wear camo shorts & gray muscle shirts w/bikes or skateboards or robots on them. MIND YER BUSINESS, I say! & for the record, every brain squisher I've ever seen on Harper is completely acceptable. The little girl I saw the other day w/ the boy literally the size of her head was not. You know the difference.

Mrs B said...

Correction: Not the boy, the BOW. Wow, that would be weird to see...

Jeff and Rose said...

Warning: These comments have been edited for television.

People make me *****ing crazy.

I say do what you want. Drink all you want. Swear all you want. Tie some bows to your boobs if you think its a good idea.

I've just decided that I'm going to be as crazy on the other side of the coin.

Look out Logan--I'm going to give immigrants full amnesty! I'm going to serve you raw foods at your next social function...
[right after I take Brooke to get a Beef and Cheddar]

Shoot. I gave a talk in church on Sunday that was all about the TV show 'Hoarders'--

Call the cops. I'm driving home without my shoes on...
(smoke that Auntie so and so...)

Becca Hatch said...

I'm with Rose. People who lack the tact to keep their lips zipped about the appearance of other's children have had their own brains squished. Maybe not by a harmless hair bow, perhaps, though, by their own damned high-mindedness.

Besides, I believe the US Supreme Court has handed down a ruling on this already. It's similar to identifying pornography: You'll know it's too big when you see it.

xoxo. And I am going home to put a bow in that is SO BIG and SO TIGHT that you'll think I had restalyne put into my lips.

Jami said...

Ha Ha! Welcome to the dark side my friend! With three girls I'm at over 60 bows/hair accessories and counting! Eat your heart out folks! {although I DO have strict size restrictions!}

Let me know if you need any more bows :) I got plenty!

Zack said...

It's seriously funny how controversial hairbows are! Some are just plain ridiculous and out of control. On the other hand, Berkley is mistaken for a boy when she doesn't wear one. What can you do?

val said...

My turn to comment. I did not put them on lucy. I had her were small clips. Just not my thing. But who really cares what I think. In fact now I wear headbands with flowers and jewels etc. Why? Because I have short hair and I don't want to be mistaken for a boy either lol! I think I look pretty. That is what matters. Enjoy your girl! Go against EVERYTHING you ever said before. Thats what life is about. Growing, maturing, and deciding hair bows (but not tooo big) are fabulous!

Jenni said...

I have been telling Addie since she was very young that beauty is pain. It has been explained to her that she is a girl so she better get used to the idea early. Plucking, dying, bleaching, waxing, shaving, etc, etc, etc. The list goes on and on. It isn't fun but it has to be done. A headband that is a little tight is just the beginning. Let's just call it training.

Julie Church said...

Doll her up and smile at the result when you're done! Would they rather you let her crawl around with dried boogers in her nose and yesterday's grams smeared who knows where....put as big a bow on that darling girl as you want! I find it's sad when people have no tact. It shows a lack of imagination to see things from another point of view.

Tanna said...

I am seriously laughing....I've been criticized for the "brain squisher" also. My mother in law does NOT like them and let me know all the time. Unfortunately, Brooke couldn't wear them for long because with her massive amount of hair she looked like she was wearing a sweatband.

We miss seeing you guys. How was Owen's first day? How many are in his class? Peter is pretty nervous for tomorrow...I'm hoping it goes over well.

Megan said...

So funny! I have mostly girls and have never once had anyone give me a "brain squisher" comment.....well Will did once but he was right, the band WAS too tight!!! I don't care about bows.....I have been known to put some HUGE ones in Audrey's hair lately....but the bands themselves are nice and loose.....BUT I do cringe when I see teeny babies with their ears pierced. Now THAT hurts worse than having your brain squeezed I am thinkin'....

Megan said...

OH, and those bows you posted are downright hilarious.....in a bad way.....BUT I love the huge flower craze going and have made some for my baby girl! So fun! :)

Julie said...

Rose kills me. "bows around your boobs." I think I'll try that. I am all for big, small, none at all. Harper is adorable in everything you put her in & if her brain was being squished she'd let you know.