Coordinated Kids

One of my biggest pet peeves to see on a regular basis is "coordinated kids."  Now let me preface by saying that I realize people do this for special occasions, pictures, etc.  I'll also say that people have the freedom to do whatever they want.  This is an opinion thing and I'd rather see "coordinated kids" all day long than kids that are ignored, mistreated or abused...period.

Now with that little disclaimer done...

I love the adorable little matching outfits for big brother/sister and baby when baby is a newborn. I think it makes the proud sibling feel fantastic.  But that's where it ends for me.  Children develop a unique sense of style at a very early age.  Some like leggings or track pants.  Some like jeans.  Some refuse to wear long sleeves at all and some prefer hoodies.  Some like bright colors and some like primary or pastel.  My point is that kids have likes and dislikes just as much as adults do.

It drives me bananas to see a parent force or bribe their little one into having to dress like the older sibling.  Why?  The younger child is a unique individual too.  Your kids are not your Barbie dolls.  Your kids are not little cookie cutter molds that you make them into.  Your kids are who they are.  It might not be what you planned but it's what you are blessed with.  You might have wanted a little girly girl that likes dresses and instead you got a girl that loves jerseys.  You can't bribe it out of them and dressing them like a twin will only result in tantrums and such.

This especially drives me nuts in people that I see do it daily or ,even, more than three times a week. You think it's cute and funny but it's not.  Cramming them into little matching dresses or skirts all the time is not adorable to anyone that can see that your kids are different and should be allowed to dress differently.  There are exceptions in kids that prefer this and that's fine if it's something THEY want.  What is NOT fine is expecting your little one to be excited to dress like big sister when big sister is their polar opposite in almost every single way.

Embrace your child's personality and stop trying to make them into something they're not.  In the end, who they are will shine through anyway and it's likely millions of times as brilliant as anything else.