Letting People Be Themselves

My 13 year old daughter just loooooves headbands.  I hate them.  Not in general, just on her. Well, it might be in general too.  She thinks they are the best thing since One Direction (she also thinks that One Direction is her generation's answer to the Beatles.  My only reply to that little jewel was to ask her not to share that opinion outside of our home).

Anyway, I think they look ridiculous.  My husband, her father, agrees with me.  I want you to know that.  I consider myself to be a progressive mother because I don’t tell her how I feel about the headbands every day…only once a week.

Is she hurting me by wearing those stupid ass headbands?  Well, no, not exactly.  Doesn't she see how crazy she looks?  They hide her gorgeous face. Why does she have to put the head band right after she comes from the beauty shop?  Can’t she give it a few days?  Like when her hair turns into an Afro football helmet after a particularly strenuous week in gym?  

In the end, it makes her happy and comfortable (so she says).  She’s not hurting herself or me for that matter (although, I've taken to squinting in her direction when she has them on – after a particularly long conversation, I find myself with a headache.)  

I've just got to let her be her. 

Besides, I've got bigger fish to fry: there still isn't a suitable replacement for King of the Hill on TV.