My daughter is 3. She started doing ballet this year. I couldn't wait for her to be able to take ballet class. From the time she started to walk, she has been twirling, on points, and dancing everywhere she could. My little girl, despite having 2 older brothers, is very much a girly girl. Oh sure, she'll play superhero with her brothers, as long as her cape is pink and she gets to wear a crown.
Every Saturday my ballerina and I have gone to her ballet class. After an hour of instruction she and I go to Starbucks for her favorite cookie; Madelines. This Monday will be her first ballet recital.
There are many rules for the recital. We had to dye her shoes white. She must wear white tights (from the studio--so everyone matches). Wear her hair in a high bun and ALL of her hair must be off her face (including the bangs she has). No jewelry (which means taking out her earrings). And finally, she should wear fire engine red lipstick and blue eye shadow.
I don't wear a ton of makeup but I never leave home without it. Every morning my daughter stands by my side and hands me the under-eye-concealer, then my eye liner, mascara, and lipstick. She always asks, "Why you wear make up mama?" I wink and reply, "Because mama is old and tired..." She always reminds me that she doesn't want any and I tell her, "You don't need it. You're beautiful already."
I really have a problem with putting makeup on little girls. It hasn't been long enough since the whole Jean Bennet thing. Makeup on little girls gives me the creeps.
But they explained that bright stage lighting required makeup. I am not a trouble maker (shut up... I am not!). So I went to CVS to find fire engine red lipstick and blue eye shadow. I was surprised to see that they still make blue eye shadow. I was sure that was out with the 70's.
I brought the makeup home and showed it to my daughter. She asked, "Why you got me makeup?" I said, "Well, for when you have your recital. Miss Tara wants you to have lipstick and eye shadow." She got upset and said she didn't want to wear it. I assured her it was just for the recital and we'd take if off immediately afterward. She looked at me, eyes wide and said, "But Mama. I don't want to wear the makeup. I just want to be me."
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7 comments:
"I just want to be me." That's adorable and right on! I hope the studio respected her wishes. Or did they coax her into wearing makeup?
Her recital is tomorrow night. My understanding is that I am to drop her off at the side door completely ready to roll and then they wisk her away. *I* will respect her wishes because that is a powerful statement and one that I hope she'll follow for the rest of her life. My hope is they will too. My daughter is pretty strong-willed, I doubt they'd be able to get it on her either. ;)
I think it's wonderful that your daughter just wants to be herself and not wear makeup. She has so much wisdom for such a small girl.
Thank you so much! I appreciate the camaraderie! The recital is tonight.. I may tape a note to her dress, "please do not put makeup on her... severe allergies." ;)
I'm eager to hear the outcome of this. As a former stubborn little girl myself, I remember having stormed out of what could have been wonderful experiences because I was upholding a principle. Her statement about "just want to be me" IS adorable, and she is too young to understand that the whole point of being on stage is that you are SOMEBODY ELSE. Maybe when she sees all the other little girls, she'll cave.
Oh, Claudine -- What a lovely story.
Recital was last night. She didn't wear it and I taught her to say, "I'm allergic." Yes, I know, terrible mother moment. But I just couldn't argue with, "I just want to be me." And, despite the very bright lights.. she still was as gorgeous as ever.
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