I have a 9 year old. She started going through this at 8 as well. I have learned to respect it. This year, I anticipate that she will be embarassed if I walk her ALL the way to the bus stop. So I stop and watch her walk the rest of the way. The other kids don't have parents there. She wanted to put highlites in her hair. I eventually caved in and helped her. She wanted to wear black nail polish. I let her, until she proved to herself that she makes a mess of it everytime and 'gets' why I took it away. She saved up for the super high Converse and cried when she grew out of them. She's tall for her age. Very tall. She too big to be cute. I guess she just feels she needs to be SOMETHING! I have a feeling that if I don't fight it, she will be stronger for it. Justice works still for clothes, but she is very picky. She won't wear anything with animal print or shiny stuff. She won't pull her hair back. I'm so scared she going to turn goth before my eyes. I am going with it though. I have been a mom long enough to know that no matter how deep the interest is, it usually IS only a phase.
I don't let her play those fashion games on the computer...ever...I don't let her watch Disney shows after school. I don't wear make-up. She still thinks I'm pretty though. So that's all I can do for now.
But I do think it's normal, even for children who are not gifted. I also think that gifted kids have a hard time fitting in and might try things to make a statement. The funny thing to me is though, my dd is not dressing like anyone else she knows. Her friends are sporty types. I think she is trying to stand out. So she is being diferent. Maybe. She has been trying to get noticed for her 'smart-ness' forever. Maybe since that's not working she trying blue hair.
It doesn't bother me. I give into a lot of things because I ask myself. "WHY NOT?" The only reason I didn't want her to color her hair was because I was worried about what other moms might think of me for letting her do it. That's a stupid reason.
Right? Oh and she has been wearing a bra since she was 7..a flat training bra...but she wears it when her shirt is thin. I think it's great. Aren't kids suposed to want to be like mommy?
