Really??? What do you think?

[Mermaid02]

I did post an explanation back at the end of page 1 - her butt cheeks are well and truly covered

I just saw that!

 

[monkeybug]

The "Drive By Mommy" post got me thinking of something that recently happened to me...

My twins are almost 3 and are VERY I-N-D-E-P-E-N-D-A-N-T! When we go places, like Wal-Mart, the Commisary, or the PX, I let them wear what they want.

My DS does a great job...shorts, shirt, shoes...good to go.

My DD however...eh hem.............accessorizes. Tu-Tus, pink (fake) Uggs with shorts..winter hats in the summer(Central TX) you name it.

And ya know what? I let them out like that! They are doing something for themselves and you can see on her face when people compliment her, just how proud of herslf she is.

But sometimes there are ALWAYS people who have to ruin it. I have the biggest problem on post, people stare and make faces.(I mean, lets face it...it takes all kinds at Wal-Mart) But one supposed officer's wife gave me a good scolding for letting my kids out like that. Saying things like, "Honey I know you're young, but you and your children are representng your husband and the U.S. Army and right now your kids look like raggi-muffins(? whatever THAT is)" So she went on and on and even asked for my DH name, rank and unit...I politely refused... I in NO WAY have to give that info to a wife... I left in tears.

Let me just say that even if my kids ARE in the UGLIEST outfits, their clothes are ALWAYS clean, as are they. Their hair is always brushed and they are DEFINATELY presentable. So the issue really was just the clothes. Fortunately this didn't effect my DD in ANY way, but it really got to me...

What do you guys think? Do you guys let you kids dress themselve's for unimportant errands?

I LOVE seeing kids (especially girls) in mish mash outfits they put together themselves! It's adorable!
As long as their teeth are clean, and their hair is brushed, I don't know why anyone would have a problem.
I do choose my daughters clothes for school and Church, just because I'm old school that way.
I think it's awesome your letting your kiddos express their creativity! Kuddos to you, and forget the sticks in the mud!
You are NOT in the army, your husband is! We are military too, but it's my husbands career, not mine. I think the real problem is with the spouses forget that

 

[lovemygoofy]

It's always going to be something on a military post. It can be about the way your children are dressed, it can be about the way you laugh or think or talk, it will be about anything. There will always be people that think they are special and military spouses that think they have a rank on their chest. You owe no one an explanation and no spouse has the right to initimidate you.

Saying all that I could care less what anyone wears but absoultely your family always represents your soldier. It sucks, it's a fishbowl life, but it's true.

 

[laurie31]

I see nothing inappropriate about a 3 year girl wearing "accessories."

Mine certainly did and noone thought it was anything but cute. She wore tutus to WalMart, pink knee socks with blue capris to preschool, and heaven knows what else. She didn't look silly, she looked like a 3 year old. They outgrow this stage pretty quick. My advice is to ignore the busybodies and take lots of pictures. Some day you'll love putting a pic of her in full 3 year old regalia out at her wedding reception - lol.

 

[monkeybug]

I loved Geranimals when I was a kid. My DH still needs them but they don't make them in his size



I have no experience living on a military base but I can't imagine that how your family presents themselves doesn't have in impact on your career, even if it is not anything formal. I would never have brought the kids to DH's office in grubby clothing or Power Ranger Costumes. It just isn't appropriate. Maybe living on base is different but I would be concerned if we did not present ourselves in socially accepted norms that it might have an impact on his career. I know FULL WELL some people at DH's old company did not get promotions because it would have meant their spouse had to socialize with customers and it would NOT have been good.

LOL...this only makes me laugh because most military housing is not widely known (among people who live there) for having well groomed, well mannered children running around.
I agree that if going to your husbands work or for a work sponsored function, your kids should be well behaved and well groomed. But home is home! You should be able to relax and have fun there!
If your brushing your kids teeth and hair on a regular basis, I'd say your doing better than 30% of the moms in the housing I've been in. (and I know that sounds mean, and harsh...but it's the truth! It honestly is!)

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

I loved Geranimals when I was a kid. My DH still needs them but they don't make them in his size



I have no experience living on a military base but I can't imagine that how your family presents themselves doesn't have in impact on your career, even if it is not anything formal. I would never have brought the kids to DH's office in grubby clothing or Power Ranger Costumes. It just isn't appropriate. Maybe living on base is different but I would be concerned if we did not present ourselves in socially accepted norms that it might have an impact on his career. I know FULL WELL some people at DH's old company did not get promotions because it would have meant their spouse had to socialize with customers and it would NOT have been good.

No it's not the same...It's just like going to Wal-Mart...only they do random terrorist checks on your car on your way in! ( I live on-post...but it's actually outside the gates...if that makes sense) If I were to go to his headquarters or something where we would be interactig with his NCO's I would dress them appropriatly.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

LOL...this only makes me laugh because most military housing is not widely known (among people who live there) for having well groomed, well mannered children running around.
I agree that if going to your husbands work or for a work sponsored function, your kids should be well behaved and well groomed. But home is home! You should be able to relax and have fun there!
If your brushing your kids teeth and hair on a regular basis, I'd say your doing better than 30% of the moms in the housing I've been in. (and I know that sounds mean, and harsh...but it's the truth! It honestly is!)

I KNOW!!! LOL...I was so shocked! I live in a supposed "NCO neighborhood" and when we got there I definately thought it would be different.(my DH is only an E3...but it was what they gave us) But like my neighbor said while were disscussing some of the "interesting" people on our block...there are "dirtbags" everywhere...sorry if that offends anyone...her words, not mine, but I do agree.

 

[joviroxx]

http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

Im thinking they would seem "mild" in comparison to the above! LOL

If they are little and you are going to some place like walmart, I say let them be. There is a time and place to be appropriate and you teach them that. I also think after a certain age, it needs to stop, so just let them be for now. If its a bit too outlandish, a gently suggestion can do but no biggie, in my book.

Then there is the other side, apparently DH was never taught appropriate. I need to dress that man every single day! LOL

 

[LunchladyDoris]

Ugh, as long as my daughter is dressed and not freaking out that her pink feather boa has few feathers I don't care. During school and church, I will make sure she is at least presentable while making sure that my son isn't running around with his sister's tutu on his head. The rest of the time, they could knock themselves out.

 

[okeydokey]

In a normal world, I'd say let it go, but I can't speak for military life. A good friend of mine is an army wife and I hate to say it but the actions of the family can and do have an impact on the soldier. Some wives of higher ranking folks do have a lot of power, as crazy as that sounds. Just something to think about.

 

[Soldier's*Sweeties]

In a normal world, I'd say let it go, but I can't speak for military life. A good friend of mine is an army wife and I hate to say it but the actions of the family can and do have an impact on the soldier. Some wives of higher ranking folks do have a lot of power, as crazy as that sounds. Just something to think about.

Actually...they don't...escpecially if it just some random lady at the PX...I could maybe see if her husband was in my DH unit, but I have no clue who she was...

I could even see if it was a super small post(think Armywives small) but it's FT. HOOD...there are likr 60,000 troops posted here.

 

[golfgal]

No it's not the same...It's just like going to Wal-Mart...only they do random terrorist checks on your car on your way in! ( I live on-post...but it's actually outside the gates...if that makes sense) If I were to go to his headquarters or something where we would be interactig with his NCO's I would dress them appropriatly.

Then it really isn't any different. If my kids were running around in the yard and were dirty from playing, big deal. If one of the big bosses stopped by and saw that it wouldn't phase me in the slightest as kids that are outside playing get dirty. If I brought the kids to the office, they would be presentable. Sorry, but even going to Walmart my kids would not have gone in Power Ranger costumes.

 

[lovemygoofy]

Actually...they don't...escpecially if it just some random lady at the PX...I could maybe see if her husband was in my DH unit, but I have no clue who she was...

I could even see if it was a super small post(think Armywives small) but it's FT. HOOD...there are likr 60,000 troops posted here.

I promise you that there are wives that can make your life hell. They are out there and that is what they thrive on. Yeah not some random PX lady and not necessairly even someone in your husband's unit but they are out there and look for people to prey on. You'll figure it out as you go. It is all some kind of political to a degree.

You'll meet great people that will stick with you forever and you are going to meet the people that will hold things over your head to make themselves more important and then you'll meet the ones who have nothing better to do then put others down by running their mouths at coffees, teas and other functions. It will be at all posts and don't think that somewhere like Hood it doesn't happen. The bigger the more political the worse it is.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

I am curious about this. Does an officer's wife have any authority over an enlisted man's wife? Do you have to give the officer's wife name, rank, and serial number? And what was she going to do with that information, go to the general and say, "I saw so and so enlisted man's wife at the PX with her little girl was wearing a pink tutu" and it's off to the stockade for the soldier? Seems like the spouses should not have a say so..but I am totally ignorant of military life. I appreciate all you guys have to go through to serve your country!

 

[monkeybug]

I KNOW!!! LOL...I was so shocked! I live in a supposed "NCO neighborhood" and when we got there I definately thought it would be different.(my DH is only an E3...but it was what they gave us) But like my neighbor said while were disscussing some of the "interesting" people on our block...there are "dirtbags" everywhere...sorry if that offends anyone...her words, not mine, but I do agree.

I just moved from (what is supposed to be) Officer housing, my husband is enlisted but they put senior enlisted in when there are too many vacancies.
We joked that we were going to bring down the property values...ummmm not so much!!
Granted most of the kids were awesome (as were their parents) but the ones that were bad, were really bad!!! Trust me, if someone was out running around in leggings and tutus it was helping their dads career, if for no other reason than at least his child was wearing clothes!!

 

[golfgal]

I should add that the reverse is true as well, it is not appropriate for kids to be outside playing in their dress clothing either.

I had a friend that would dress her kids up ALL THE TIME. They were not allowed to play because they might get dirty--that is NOT good. We went to the zoo one day and her girls were in frilly party dresses and dress shoes and while all the other kids were playing on the play equipment, they were sitting and watching because they couldn't get their dresses dirty

 

[NMAmy]

Sorry, but even going to Walmart my kids would not have gone in Power Ranger costumes.

It was me who had the kid in the Power Ranger costume not the OP. She's 19 now, has a full scholarship to college, and manages to dress appropriately for every situation. No lasting damage. Although I believe she does wish she still had a pink Power Ranger costume in her size. For Halloween and parties--not for trips to the grocery store. I guess it's just amazing how she turned out to be a normal college girl who functions quite well in society and did not harm her father's career in the slightest despite her mother allowing her to wear a costume to the store when she was 3.

 

[connorlevismom]

As a mom, you have to pick your battles, and what to wear is not a battle I am willing to fight. I don't really care, as long as he HAS clothes on, I don't care what anyone else thinks about it.

There is this little girl at DS's school and she she likes to dress a lot like your daughter. Everytime she walks by me on the way to the bus I smile because she is always wearing something like your describing. And last week she was wearing a tutu and I thought it was darling! Seeing her and everyday puts a smile on my face because I just think she is darling and her outfits are great. She loves them and that is all that matters.

Try not to take what that women did to you to heart. Some people are just rude and mean and have no concept of how to deal with people.

Kristine

 

[lovemygoofy]

I am curious about this. Does an officer's wife have any authority over an enlisted man's wife? Do you have to give the officer's wife name, rank, and serial number? And what was she going to do with that information, go to the general and say, "I saw so and so enlisted man's wife at the PX with her little girl was wearing a pink tutu" and it's off to the stockade for the soldier? Seems like the spouses should not have a say so..but I am totally ignorant of military life. I appreciate all you guys have to go through to serve your country!

No one wife has no jurisdiction over another wife. There are alot officer and enlisted that think they are super special and high speed and try to "put someone in their place."

It's a fishbowl life where people are always talking about and looking at others. It's no different than your local PTA group or the judgemental mommy wars you read about on here.

The downer is that military famlies reflect on the soldier and can harm his career enlisted and officer of the like.

 

[hrh_disney_queen]

No one wife has no jurisdiction over another wife. There are alot officer and enlisted that think they are super special and high speed and try to "put someone in their place."

It's a fishbowl life where people are always talking about and looking at others. It's no different than your local PTA group or the judgemental mommy wars you read about on here.

The downer is that military famlies reflect on the soldier and can harm his career enlisted and officer of the like.

So is this just "pillow talk"-where the offended wife tells her military DH what she saw and he should do something about it? Or does the wife take it upon herself to go to higher up military and report? Maybe it's just gossip that finally gets around to someone who cares and has the power to do something?