Cheerleader What?

Dear Adelaide,

I have decided that you will NOT be dressed up as a cheerleader this halloween...

See, your brother decided that he wants to go out trick-or-treating as a Raven's football player.  Costume is ordered (yes, we are not so big on the hand-made stuff right now.  Mommy can't sew). 

Then the question became, "what should Addie be for Halloween?"

Your dad said, "A cheerleader." 

I flipped.  My daughter will not dress in a skanky cheerleader costume. 

But then, of course, I had to look some up.  They're completely adorable, and not terribly skanky. 

And while I could definitely see you in such an adorable little costume, I can't bring myself to put you in it for Halloween. 

You're not exactly the daintiest of children.  You're more like a tank.  Nothing gets in your way, and when you don't get what you want, you push harder or scream and let the entire world know that you're angry. 

Cheerleader?  I have a difficult time assigning that gender role to you just yet.  You're more like the tough-girl football player.  I could dress you up as the world's biggest football fan- you're more the jersey-wearing type than the cheerleader type. You'd look good with a toddler-size jersey, some eye black, and a football. 

Or perhaps my perception of cheerleaders is off.  Maybe I was scarred emotionally by the fact that I was never cheerleader material.  I never had the self confidence to pull it off, and I had a mother who was anti-cheerleader.  But do I project that on to you?  What if you like cheerleading?  What if you, God forbid, take an interest in it?  Will you hate me forever for not having adorable baby pictures of you in a cheerleading uniform?

I'm certain that I'm over-thinking this. 

I just want you to figure out who you are on your own, and not buy into all the stuff that HAS to be a certain way because "society says so."  That's really the reason that I am against the cheerleader costume.


Who knew parenting would be so difficult...

Love ya kiddo,
Mom