What Type of Parent are You?

Zoe comes home from preschool looking as if she has taken a paintbrush and literally painted her body. Well, her preschool teacher sent some pictures home and I found out that she actually is painting her body in preschool. Apparently they are teaching them creative self-expression, and will be focusing on painting paper and canvas in the coming weeks. Ummm, okay, I guess.




So what type of parent am I? Am I the parent who is thrilled that my child is expressing herself through paint? Or am I the parent who is irritated that the adorable clothes that I've sent her to school in are ruined? I've decided that I'm both of those. I'm glad she's expressing herself, but I'm not sure she needed to do it for two weeks, particularly when I caught her trying to express herself at home, with dot paint, in my living room.

I went to Target and bought her some not so adorable plain t-shirts and shorts that I am happy to throw away once this paint expression is under control. Now when she comes home with a plastic bag full of painted clothing I can smile and ask her how her day was. "I painted myself Mommy! I used orange and red and white but not blue Mommy."