Should your Children's Clothing, Style and Appearance be Compromised?

As you may have already noticed, there is a huge surge in “mini me” clothing popping up all over. What exactly is this “mini me”? This “mini me” couture effect is basically a term used for parents wanting their children to look and dress like they do. With the vast amount of information on the Internet and the constant celebrity exposure, our children are growing up with a lot more options than we ever had. Designers are churning out pint size renditions of clothes that are on runways every season. However, not every parent is jumping on this band wagon. In our family outings, I still see children dressed in p.j.’s or t-shirts that are witty yet sloppy.

Does how you dress your child reflect on your personality and lifestyle?

I always look to the parents to see how they are dressed. It’s usually the same. Most of the style stems from the parents. Children in more ways than one are a direct reflection of their mommy and daddy.

With this being said, I don’t think the “mini me” idea is so bad. We all know families that always look put together. Why not create that culture with your own children? I am not saying that appearance is the most important issue in a kid’s life. But appearance speaks for itself. What’s wrong with dressing the part? Your child will grow and learn to take pride in how they look and will in turn pass this to their children.

What Should be your Child's Look - Classic or Trendy?

When you think of the look you want your child to convey, do you think classy or trendy? I came up with the following conclusions:

1) Trendy clothes are super adorable on children as long as they are tasteful.

2) Classic styles and brands of clothes are nice to have for those formal times such as weddings, portraits, graduations, etc…

3) Trendy clothes in classic colors make for a great clean, modern look.

Whatever style or look you choose for your child, let it be a tasteful expression of who your child is!

Finally, How to Praise Your Child?

The following are 7 definitive ways on how to praise your child:

1. Look your child in the eye.
2. Move close to your child and down to their eye level.
3. Smile. Smile is a curve that keeps everything straight.
4. Praise a specific behavior. “You did such a great job cleaning up your bedroom.”
5. Speak with feeling and sincerity. Do not hurt your child’s sentiments.
6. Touch your child affectionately, maybe a pat on the back or stroke of an arm.
7. Praise immediately, as soon as you notice commendable behavior.

"Your praise should be honest and specific. Don’t dilute the effectiveness of praise by overdoing it or being insincere. Older children especially will pick up on your exaggeration."