During my time at university I house shared with four other girls. We were all pretty amicable and we took it in turns to cook and weekly shopped together. It was during this time that I learnt there are a million ways to cook Spaghetti Bolognese that are nothing like my Mum would do. Adding mushrooms was fine and something I’d consider adding now, carrots seemed very amicable and almost Italian until one chick added what can only be described as ‘bendy’ carrots and we had to have a word with her. Ultimately it wasn’t fair on our stomachs lining and the carrots had escaped the pot long enough to be put to rest in a refuse centre somewhere far away. (R.I.P bendy carrots)
What I learnt was the old phrase of ‘there are more ways than one to skin a cat’ or in this case, cook a mid week spag bog. (Way more animal friendly when using Quorn, sorry cat lovers).
At the moment social media is enjoying looking at gender in young children and making comments on the toys they should and shouldn’t have, I think there is also a blogger who has written about her son being denied a princess Disney experience. So, as a blogger I thought I’d give my opinion on the topic – I couldn’t give a crap.
I don’t care if my son, or any child of any gender, non gender or polka dot gender wants to play with a pink sparkly doll or a transformer. I eat Yorkie chocolate bars on principle that they are advertised as ‘not for girls’ and all I actually care about is that my son is happy and healthy, or any other polka dot child previously mentioned. Be different babe, or don’t be different – it doesn’t matter, as long as you are happy. Some people love to be unique and others strive to fit in, some bubble along in the middle. Ultimately, society will judge (me included, especially after a GnT) and thats okay too. Whats not okay if for me to force my opinion on you to a point where you feel you need to change. Freedom of speech / rights are lovely phrases that comes with A LOT of really important small print. Ultimately you can squeeze it down to several sentences:
- You CAN say what you want BUT you can’t offend someone
- Slander can get you in prison (and rightly so)
- If nobody asked you for your opinion keep it to yourself, oh and the classic parenting quote ‘if you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all’
Over the last few weeks millions of children will start new schools, colleges and Universities, over the last month parents have argued with those children as they battle to find ‘the right school shoes’ or the bag that is acceptable. I even heard a child crying in a local supermarket as her Mum was insistent on buying her ‘the wrong’ skirt. She wanted the one with the bow in the middle; don’t tell her Mum but the kid was right, it was way cuter with the bow. Anyway, I digress, the point I’m making is that many of those people will make fake friends as they battle like sardines to find a place to belong, any place – just to feel like they fit in…except they wont belong, the good news is they will form friendships by Christmas that are based on things that matter like shared interests, morals and the ability to make each other laugh, oh and the girl in the supermarkets Mum will be right, the bow will also have dropped off by Christmas and I totally understand why she isn’t paying an extra £3 for it.
I selected this quote for its simplicity and frankly I agree ‘Be different babe’ but if you don’t want to be different thats okay, just don’t feed me bendy carrots.
Totally agree with you, there’s no right or wrong, you are what you are and like what you like. No body should force opinions on you in order for you to change x
#dreamteam
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Wonder why we do then?
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I love this post. You’ve hit the nail on the head. Be different, or don’t.. simple as that. Just be who you are and you’ll be happy. Molly loves dressing up like a princess, playing with dolls, stealing my make up and already has a massive collection of bags. But, she also loves her tool kit and hard hat, she is obsessed with cars and loves going to the football with daddy. I would never force her to do or like one thing over another. I would actively encourage her to follow her heart and do what she wants to do for her and not because society said. I will always be 100% supportive and have her back wherever her journey takes her. #TriumphantTales
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Molly has a winning recipe for a mumma
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Happiness is the way forward and if that means dressing in bright illuminous polka dots then so be it! I agree though, that bowed skirt would have been super cute!!
Thank you for sharing this with us at #TriumphantTales. I hope to see you back next week!
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Thanks Hun x always buy the bow
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Amazing. Love the small print that comes with freedom of speech. I’m with you. Why can’t we all just be and be happy. 💕 x
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It’s odd isn’t it? That we adore diversity but don’t like differences?
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People should be what they want, as long as they aren’t hurting anyone, what’s the problem. It’s unwanted opinions that make it a problem. Just get on with it I say.
#TriumphantTales
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I’ll drink to that!
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So true! Be different, don’t be different, just be happy! Thank you so much for linking this up to #DreamTeam! xxx
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I read an interesting thing that teens want to be different from their parents but strive to be the same as their peers….I had a shirt that said ‘be different’ and my kid hated it. I think sometimes it takes a bit of age to be comfortable in not confirming. #Dreamteamblogger
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It’s sad some people are so obsessed with what other people think rather than listening to themselves. I think it’s great to empower children to be themselves, whatever that may be, and support them no matter what. Lovely post, thanks for sharing ❤ #thesatsesh
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Thanks Hun. What a lovely comment to leave x
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Couldn’t agree more. The people who will respect you for being yourself and the people who are worth having respect from. The rest can go spin! I remember being considered unpopular at school, but actually I had lots of friends, who stayed friends for life, and that was much more valuable than being considered cool. #thesatsesh
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Ouch! Love that…cool is over rated x
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I completely agree with all of this. My daughter chose her school shoes and they’re not the stereotypical girly ones, preferring a ‘boyish’ look. I don’t care as long as she’s happy and comfortable but my mum was on another level and told me I simply had to get her girly ones so she could fit in. As long as they’re happy that’s all I care about #thesatsesh
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Stay strong dude, obvs you’re right – happiness is all that matters x
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A topic I could harp on about for hours! Lol I agree. What I cant get on board with, is people being ‘different’ for the sake of being different. Dont put your boy in girls clothes just to make a point. Don’t be ‘alternative’ just because you are not in the ‘in’ crowd. Dont think you cant feel comfortable in a girly dress because you’ve always been a tomboy.
Just do whatever makes you happy! Xx
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This 🙂 let’s get together and rant haha x
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Yes- I agree with “If you can’t say anything nice, say nothing at all”. Need to remind myself of this when I feel the urge to rant! #thesatsesh
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Lol ummm my entire blog lol!
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Love how we can argue such minor things like what toy our kid should be playing with, when there’s so many bigger, important things to worry about. Let’s be the change we wish to see. Thanks for sharing. #thesatsesh
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Oh I agree. Be the change x beautiful words
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I really wish we could just accept people for exactly who they are instead of telling them what they should be. If you love someone unconditionally you accept them as they are. Thank you for hosting 🌸 #thesatsesh
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No worries, it odd isn’t it? Our need to be mean?
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This is absolutely brilliant and so true. Happiness is all that matters. PS I also eat Yorkies just because they say I can’t! Especially the purple one. The purple one is great! #thesatsesh
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Haha welcome to the chocolate retaliation group x
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Couldn’t agree more – be different, don’t be different – up to you – as long as you feel comfortable with yourself. Something I learned too late and hope my kids pick up quicker than I did. Love how civilised you were as students – fancy sharing the cooking out between you all 🤗 Xx #thesatsesh
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True, we were civilised…not sure what happened? Haha
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Be different. Be who you are. Be kind. All good! Love this post! #Triumphanttales xoxo #dreamTeam
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Absolutely, plus being a teen is so hard! I don’t envy them x
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