Are Some Kids Born Cool?

Are Some Kids Born Cool?

Friday, January 9, 2009

filed under: karyn bryant

Guest blogger Karyn Bryant: Are some kids born "cool"?

While watching our little ones tumble in class, one mom told me that her son doesn't like to do the big "ta-dah" finish with his hands in the air. "He thinks he won't look cool," she said with a laugh. We know kids get self-conscious, but we got to wondering if some kids are in fact born with an innate understanding of how to be the hippest kid in the room.

I ventured that his reluctance might be due to an older brother's mocking, but then the mom cracked me up when she said that the little guy is actually cooler than his older brother! I want my daughter Aurora to be as goofy as possible for as long as possible, but I have to admit that I really hope she turns out to have the kind of demeanor people wanna be around. I'm shooting for ridiculously smart with a sharp wit and a discerning ear for music.

I know it's not important for a 2-year-old to look cool, (which is why nearly choked when I saw the $75 jeans for toddlers at Lucky Brand), but Aurora was looking particularly hip in class, with her floral-print pants and Rolling Stones t-shirt. When she starts to dress herself, will she understand that her AC/DC Highway To Hell top looks great with her brown cargo pants and sneakers, but even more modern with the orange skirt, plaid leggings and green Winnie-The-Pooh-adorned Crocs?

Maybe not. But she asked me to read one of my Chuck Palahniuk books to her the other day, so things are looking good.

3 comments so far | Post a comment now >>

While no one knows if kids are born cool or if this is a learned behavior, I imagine that its a combination of both, one this is for sure, if you continue to put as much emphasis on name brands, looking cool and appearance in front of your child as you did in this article she is sure to be materialistic and shallow. Of course she could rebel against your brand of cool and wind up caring about more than just her clothes and looking cool.

- DD

Posted 01/09/09 03:57 PM

DD … you missed the mark on this article ! Kids are more observant than you give them credit for. Do you really think that all kids who ask for name brands were taught this by their parents? Maybe if they were totally home-schooled. Lighten up ! I liked the article. EW

- Elaine

Posted 01/09/09 04:22 PM

I agree with Elaine. My daughter immediately strikes a pose when the camera comes out or gets excited when she gets to dress pretty. She’s 2 1/2. She knows what pretty is and she likes it, I seriously doubt liking to look pretty will have her grow being “materilistic and shallow”. Even if I LIKE buying her designer clothing.

- Ju

Posted 03/22/09 08:31 PM