Memories of my Dad. As I mentioned he was not a disciplinary
type at all. I pretty much bossed him around and disciplined him most of my life, which is an odd
thing for a kid to do I know.
That being said there were a few times where my Dad
stood up to the plate and told me what to do. And these few times imprinted
themselves is my memory powerfully.
When I was about 17 yrs. old he told me that it was rude to wear pyjamas
to the dinner table.
You cannot even imagine how weird this sounded coming from
my Dad. No discipline or direction most days, no table manners himself, no
caring of table manners. I was very surprised he even noticed what I wore or
did not wear.
But it has a big impact on me. From that day forth I
have been very conscious about my decision to wear pyjamas to the table. (YES I
AM A REBEL)
(for all you soft parents out there who think no
discipline is what your kids crave-trust me, wake up and smell the coffee, it
makes a child feel incredibly insecure and lost. Step up the commands, the time
outs, the direction and the clearer more direct voices and stronger opinions
and your kid will feel a whole lot better. Kids are not looking for a gentile friend;
they are looking for a confident parent who is in charge and capable. There is
something immensely comforting in knowing that your parent will ultimately tell
you what to do since you as a kid have no clue and need someone to tell you
“no”)
So despite my feelings of respect that my Dad did not
think that it was polite to wear pyjamas to the table (I think he forgot the
next day anyways since he never mentioned it again)…I still do wear them.
Pretty much every night.
And so does my husband. And often my three kids. And
we love doing this.
The other night I looked at my husband in our warm
pj’s and with blankets around our shoulders eating outside together on a crisp
fall evening on the patio…and thought “look how sweet we are”.
This is part of our family brand, our signature style.
Pyjamas are part of what makes us who we are.
Over the years I have tried to improve my pyjamas
style. Tried to make them more stylish or better fitting, or more attractive,
or fashionable. I have tried to buy super expensive lounge wear, and very flattering
workout bottoms that I pair with pyjama tops. Somehow though….I always go with
the most comfy and actually more homely ones. And so does my husband . And so
do my kids.
It’s like a bit of a beauty rebellion. All of us by day look pretty well
put together and fashion concious (I think) but by night we come into our own like vampires and wear
striped with polka dots and ill-fitting dumb clothes. We don’t care what is too
big or too small because all that matters is the coziness and comfort of it. We
don’t need to impress each other after work or at the cottage. We just come as
we are and with what we have. And if that means a t-shirt three sizes too small
and big fluffy red socks then so be it.
If ever I have an affair (which I won’t) I would need
to get some serious new pyjamas!
I think I love my husband and my kids most in their
pyjamas. And I think they prefer me this way too. Au natural to the extreme. Unrecognizable
to the images we portray to the general public. We save our eccentricities for family.
So thanks Dad for your strong opinion. I truly valued
it and cherished it all these years and strongly considered your point of view.
That being said I realize that I am at my best with a comfy bra on, no earring,
no ring, with an oversized sweatshirt, a tiny t-shirt and big fluffy socks with
my hair in a scrunchie and I want to stay this way.
Somehow being in PJ’s at the table……makes home….home
just like when I was a kid. Feels good.
