Several months ago our 3 oldest children (and my 35 year-old husband) became obsessed with Power Rangers. We had the DVR set to record every Power Rangers episode except Mystic Force. I was able to find a Pink Ranger SPD (Space Force Delta) costume for my older daughter. She was over the moon and couldn't wait for it to arrive on the front doorstep. She LOVED it. Just last month I found SPD costumes for the boys as well, so the three oldest kids had their Halloween costumes all ready to go. They were eagerly anticipating being Power Rangers for Halloween. It was going to be SO COOL!
Imagine my shock when my oldest announced this morning that she was rethinking her Power Ranger costume choice. She said she'd talked to all the girls in her class (all FIVE of them!) and none of them watch Power Rangers.
Three days into her first year of "real" school and we already have our first case of PEER PRESSURE, folks!
Well, maybe not the first case. On her first day my daughter was supposed to bring in her favorite thing to share with the class. I was there when her teacher announced that during the parent drop-in. She mouthed to me "Cozie!" Cozie is her bedtime pal. She's had him since she was born; he is even in the bassinet picture of her that was taken in the hospital.
When she got home from the drop-in I reminded her to go put a Cozie (she owns 3) in her backpack so he wouldn't be forgotten. That's when she started second guessing her choice. In the hour or so that it took to finish up at the drop-in and drive home, she'd already decided that Cozie was "too babyish" to share.
She won't wear her Crocs to school either, because "everyone else" wears tennis shoes. Buh. I saw the teacher wearing black Crocs just last week.
So, it's begun. She's giving into peer pressure. It's subtle, but it's there. I gave her a gentle mom-talk about being unique and not conforming to the standards of others. I reminded her of what God tells us in Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."
She gave me the old 8 year-old eye roll and told me she's not changing costumes because of peer pressure, but I know differently.
On the drive back home my mind wandered. I started reviewing our conversation. I had to be honest with myself and admit that at 33 years-old, I still give in to peer pressure. I still worry about what people think of me. I struggle with it on a daily basis. Got no idea WHY.
When will I reach the place in my life when the only person I care about pleasing is God the Father?
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