The other day I was in the living room of my house when my four year old walks into the room. Proudly striking a pose, with his hands on his hips, he asked me, “Mom, how do I look?” I took one look at his mismatched outfit, including shorts that were a size too small, and smiled at him. “You look great! So handsome, bud!” Who was I to squash his little spirit by pointing out that his clothing choice was definitely a peculiar one. He thought he looked great. He picked his outfit out all by himself and even attempted to fix his own hair. He was proud of his efforts, and I was proud of his initiative. So I let him wear it.

I reflected on this moment later. I thought back on how proud of himself that he was. On how excited he was to wear what he had chosen. He was confident in his choices and ready to take on the world. It was that last part that really stuck with me. His confidence. As an adult we would never dream of wearing something so audacious in fear of what others would say. (Okay, this particular outfit would make a grown person look like they had a few screws loose, but you get my point.)

When is it exactly that we lose the bold confidence of a child? Why do we do this? I remember the look on my son’s face and feel empowered to make my own bold choice. For years I have wanted to add a pop of color to my hair. Thanks to my four year old, I’m going to do just that. I’m going to style my new hair and then ask my son, “Hey kid, how do I look?” I can already hear his voice now (complete with that grin of his), “You look great, Mom!”

It’s funny how as a parent, our job is to teach our children life’s lessons. Yet, often times, it is our children that end up teaching us. My four year old has a big personality. He has a kind heart. He is a seeker of knowledge. He feels big and loves even bigger. He is confident in what makes him feel good in his own skin. He is an actual super hero (At least in his mind. And I will never tell him different!) He is also the kid that wears his Superman cape and sunshades into Trader Joe’s (please see the “Super” cute picture above). And I wouldn’t have him any other way! Thanks for teaching me to live with a bold confidence, my son.