This is all well and good when there is a specific reason for the Dressing of the Down, such as St. Patrick's Day (go and pick up a cute little shamrock tee from the clearance rack at Justice) or Valentine's (grab everything red that she owns, since she refuses to wear pink. The girl is a Goth.)
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| To tell the truth, I'm *sniff* sort of proud of her Gothiness, as a former punk rocker myself. |
But this Dress Down Day came from nowhere. It wasn't a holiday or St. Swithin's Day, as far as I knew. So - WHY?????
Explanation: They won the Penny Wars. I have to deal with a load of stress because of the Penny Wars. (Yeah, I don't get it either.)
Here is how the resulting conversation went, and before I transcribe it, I must add a few new words of our own house language so you will understand.
Pwthmf - Huffy sigh, usually combined with a folding of the arms and a turning away of the head
I!Wh!You!But! - Shocked exclamation by the mother, indicating that she doesn't even know where to begin
Waahydon'tknowwhatIwant - The screech emitted by a child who wants to be idependent and get someone to do her stuff for her at the same time
Bleaugh - The realization that you are beginning to sweat.
Ohcomeonpleaseletthiswork - The vain prayer, uttered under one's breath, that the tactic that never ever worked before will come through for you this time.
droopdawg - (Nonverbal) I am tired of hearing everyone yell.
#*#&$#!!! - Oh, you probably already understand this one.
So, here how it went down, and it started very calmly and nicely, as you will see.
Thursday night, 7:03 pm
Me - Hey, sweetie? It's dress down day tomorrow! Go and pick out your outfit so you'll have it read in the morning.
Kid - Oh, okay, Mommy!
Me - Don't forget to pick out shoes! And socks! And underwear! and a headband! Ohcomeonpleaseletthiswork
Kid - Okay! I will!
Friday morning, 8:10 am
Me - All right, go and get dressed, sweetheart. The bus will be here soon!
Kid - Wait, these leggings have bows on them! I'm not wearing these!
Me - But that's why I told you to pick out your outfit yourself! (to self ) See, I knew it wouldn't work.
Kid - Pwthmf!!
Me - Well, then, you need to pick out a different pair of pants.
Kid - No, I want leggings! And there aren't any more leggings!
Me - I'm sorry, but that's why I told you to pick your clothes out last night. I could have helped then, but now the bus will be here in a few minutes! Bleaugh.
Kid - Waahydon'tknowwhatIwant!!!!
Me - You have to figure this out on your own. I will be downstairs.
Kid - Louder Waahydon'tknowwhatIwant!!!!
Friday morning, 8:17 am
Kid - Sorry, Mommy. I'm all ready now - wait, these shoes hurt my heels!
Me - #*#&$#!!!
Kid - I'm not wearing them to school. Pwthmf!!
Me - I! Wh!You!But!
Dad - Here comes the bus ... droopdawg
Kid - Ohmigoshthebusbyeeveryone
(Door slams. Silence.)
Finis
