Apparently there’s a whole lotta people with their knickers in a knot about a J. Crew ad.
Earlier in the month a newsletter was sent out to J. Crew subscribers featuring a free shipping promotion. In the newsletter was a picture of J. Crew executive, Jenna Lyons, and her son, laughing and sharing what looks like a very special moment. You know, the moments we moms kind of live for because it helps us forget about the tantrums, the sleep deprivation and the time your kids shaved the cat.
But if you look a little closer you see Beckett is wearing bright neon pink nail polish on his toes and underneath is a quote from his mom stating how she’s happy she has a little boy who loves pink.
*This* is what the uproar is about – that this little boy, who looks quite happy by the way, is wearing pink nail polish.
I’ve written before about Son No. 1 and how he wears a suit and tie pretty much every single day. He’s the kid out on his bike or climbing a tree in a three piecer, tie and cufflinks. When he’s feeling more casual, he’ll go for a dress shirt and tie with a sweater over top. He’s made celluloid collars out of cardboard and worn them with his good black suit, pocket watch and hat for a trip to the grocery store. He does this all without batting an eye.
To this day, I have only gotten positive feedback from other parents, the most common comment being how it’s so great I let him do this.
To be very clear, there is no “letting” involved.
My son has been choosing his daily ensemble since he was a toddler, outfits that were sometimes well put together and others that were almost painful to look at. Toddlers don’t really have a keen sense of colour palettes, just saying. So when he started choosing to wear clothes outside the norm at the age of six, why would I suddenly say no? My son wears what he wears and is who he is not because I’m 'allowing him'. He is who he is because he is growing into his true self. It’s my job as a parent to back the hell off and let him be that person while offering guidance, lessons and unconditional love along the way. Occassionally, I'll offer advice on wearing clothes that are better suited (ha!) for the activity like when we were going to the splash pad and he wanted to wear a shirt and tie. But ultimately, the decision is his.
The generalized view from the people who are in an uproar over this picture is they are concerned this image is an endorsement of transgender roles and isn't upholding traditional values. Alternatively, there's concern for the boy - Beckett will need therapy when he gets older, putting pink nail polish on him is sending a confusing message.
But I don't think it's about any of that. What I really think is happening is that these people who are in an uproar are upset because seeing a picture of a boy happily wearing bright pink nail polish makes them uncomfortable.
My son, this incredible child of mine, has taught me more about being true to myself than I’ll ever teach him. Beckett’s smiling face is teaching us the same lesson.
Quite frankly, I think the world needs more pink nail polish.
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