I disagree with much of what Brooks has to say about this supposed 'style' of parenting and how it makes your 'average suburban cul de sac look like Renaissance Florence', but I can see his point. I think the confusion is in the fact that more people are making the decision to move with their families to the city - and, thus, you see a push to a more urban (and often this is equated with a 'hipster') lifestyle. Brooks struck a chord with me on a few things. For example, I have had a certain smug sense of nonconformity each time I put La Luz in a smocked dress. Not many children wear smocked dresses these days (but is it our fault if 'cool' kids clothes are more accessible than any of the others). I happen to be the ONLY person I know who has an aunt who knows how to and enjoys making beautiful dresses. Without that resource, I would be left scratching my head, wondering if it was really appropriate for a toddler to wear black leggings or trying to figure out how an 18 month old is supposed to wear a shrug. Interestingly enough, I think Christian is the one who is guilty of forcing his hipster trends on a poor, unsuspecting baby. He is a fan of the longsleeve shirt underneath the shortsleeve shirt and even moreso when it says the Decembrists on it. The last time he dressed her (Friday) she had it on:
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We are all guilty of allowing La Luz to listen to the bands we love. She attended more concerts in utero than I have been to since she was born. Maybe that makes me guilty of imposing the 'hipster' lifestyle on her before she even had a say-so. I joke about it but certainly draw the line at bringing her to concerts now (unless it is a festival outside - that is completely acceptable and important for her development). Notwithstanding the fact that I am convinced La Luz already has impeccable music taste and likes all of my favorite bands in particular, I promise it is not to the exclusion of countless hours of terrible children's songs that make me want to pull my fingernails off, one by one.
1 comment:
It is nice to see to see David Brooks finally has something to whine about instead of whiny liberals. I grew up listening to what my parents listened to, you grew up listening to the Moody Blues, Beatles, etc. I read the article he never actually says how any of this is bad. When Lucy is old enough to say she wants her Dora shirt instead of the Decemberists shirt I will let her personality shine. For now she gets the D's, wears cool Tshirts, she listens to Radiohead and eats hummus and sushi.
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