Halloween costumes... Who needs 'em?

It is no secret that Annie is a picky dresser. A few months ago she started saying "No" to certain clothes I would attempt to put on her in the morning. First, she only wanted to wear pink shirts. Then she switched to purple shirts (Go Tigers!). It can be cute...wearing a pink floral skirt with a completely non-matching floral shirt. I laugh off the "Oh, I see Annie dressed herself this morning" and "She looks like a gypsy" comments. But really I think... Am I being a push-over? Am I letting her win the "battle over clothes" a little too early? Does this mean she is going to walk all over me as a teenager??? Yes, I have irrational thoughts about a future bratty teenage daughter! Tell me you have these visions... Anyone?

So of course, Halloween night, when it was time to dress up in her adorable Minnie Mouse dress with ears and red bow and red tights (and paint her nose black), she said "No". So there we are. Do I wrestle her into this costume and deal with a full meltdown? Do I use empty threats and say "If you want to see Sissy and Addie you have to put on your costume"? Do I bribe her with a pocket of candy and say she can have it if she puts on the dress?

No to all of the above.

Halloween isn't about me (and my fantasies of the adorable photos of her I could post on Facebook). Call me lazy, but I didn't want to beg or threaten her to put on a costume. It isn't fun for me or Annie. So I decided it's OK if my kid doesn't wear a Halloween costume. As long as everyone is happy!  Right?...RIGHT!

And so we settled for a pink Tutu and headed to Addie's house. No tears. No drama. Only super mom (me) acting cool as a cucumber... who needs costumes anyway?.. And my very beautiful and HAPPY little girl. I did feel a bit of sadness when I looked at everyone's Facebook posts of adorable ladybugs and bumble bees... But our Halloween was perfectly perfect without the costume. (Fingers crossed for next year, though. Just saying...)

Happy Parenting!