My  oldest daughters, Marcia and Mona, now age 42 and 41, were one
grade apart in elementary school. I made their dresses in the styles and
fabrics of their choice  Marcia was meticulous about her dress, but Mona
wanted to wear  faded, ragged sweatshirts every day. They weren't in
fashion then. 

  When Mona was in third grade, her teacher Miss Carlson summonded
me to discuss the differences in the two girls' clothing. After a few nice
words about the girls, she became cool, looked into my eyes, and said,"
Mona does not wear nice dresses like her sister Marcia did. I am wondering
if she is feeling deprived and inferior because of this." At first I felt
ashamed, then I broke into laughter. "You are more than welcome to come 
to our home and look into Mona's half of the closet," I replied." It is filled
with handmade dresses that I made especially for her. She doesn't like to
wear dresses or perfect clothing. The two identical faded blue sweatshirts
are what she chooses to wear. I am glad there are two so that they get
laundered." "You see", I said," I don't tell my kids what to wear or how to
style their hair. I think they have a right to make those choices for
themselves. I see to it that they are clean, well fed, and doing their
best." 

   Miss Carlson went into a tirade about giving children too much freedom
and I told her it would be interesting to see how badly my kids would abuse
that freedom in later years. I stood up, thanked her, and walked out. When
I went to the regular parent teacher conference a few weeks later I made
sure she stuck to the subject of behavior and work, not about faded,
tattered, sweatshirts and freedom.

LaVona Sherarts
© 1937