Questionable Costume Day

I wanted to write about something that I saw in my classroom yesterday. Not shocking, but I question the parents about their decision to let their child wear something like this. It brings me back to when I was younger, and my grandmother let my cousins and I watch something inappropriate. Grandma being in her early seventies at the time, most likely didn't realize what she was allowing us to watch (possible Alzheimer's, etc.). I remember watching that particular thing and given the content, she didn't turn the movie off for us. 

Two of my 4K wrap students had pajama/costume day at school yesterday. My class attends various schools, and children at this particular school were given the choice of wearing pajamas or costumes. I love pajama days (who doesn't as a teacher) especially on days where I don't have to work my second job. Pajama day is fun for everyone,  as is costume day. Both are a day to have fun, relax and breathe. Teaching is hard work, and days like this give us that much needed breath of fresh air when we are busy working with families, creating curriculum plans, attending meetings, cleaning and the pile of paperwork. 

A child in my class was dropped off yesterday by Grandpa, who reminded me the child had his costume in his bag. Prior to going outside, the child put his costume on over his clothes. The costume was cute at first, then I didn't find it so cute at all. He put on his mask, and even I was scared myself.

This child was dressed as a killer clown. I'm guessing Pennywise from "It". The mask was scary, and I was stunned that a parent would allow a four-year-old to wear something like this to school. I have heard this child mention that he watches movies like Freddy, Jason and Chucky, because he has talked about it with other children who don't watch those kind of films. 

Suddenly, I remembered watching "Friday the 13th Parts 1 and 2" when I was kid. Cable was just beginning existence in this world, and Grandma never shut the movie off. I was scared shitless, and when it got dark outside, I had to make sure all the windows were secure, plus the doors. I was convinced there was a man in our bushes with a machete waiting to kill us. At sixteen, I tried watching it again, and although my ability to know the difference between reality and fantasy changed, I was still scared. Finally, in my late twenties, I had to get over my fear of this movie. I went to Blockbuster with the guy I was seeing at the time, got high and watched both movies beginning to end. I didn't close my eyes. Convinced that I cured myself, I watched both movies again not high, and I was fine.

Who knew that weed would be the thing to cure me of my fear? 

Small children are scared of thing like clowns, the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus. They don't understand or realize that there a person underneath that costume. They cannot understand the person is real, and the costume is a dress up toy. This is why it can be hard to get a picture taken at the mall when they are under five-it's the concept of understanding that things are still the same when they look different. In other words if I were to dress up as Cruella de Vil (one of my faves given my resemblance to Glenn Close) with a wig and makeup, I am Miss Dani dressed in a costume and when the makeup comes off, I am Miss Dani without the costume. 

In no way am I criticizing this family for allowing their child to wear something like this, because it is their decision. I hope that this family carefully explained to their child that what he sees on the screen isn't real, but created by people. I remember watching "Freddy vs. Jason" with my ex-boyfriend's daughter when she was about six or seven. Her mother allowed her to watch things like that, which I found inappropriate. (I also couldn't stand her mother.) During the movie, I stopped it several times to explain to her the differences between fantasy and reality. 

Back in the seventies and the eighties, television was used to occupy children. Of course the shows were less garbage with subtle jokes in regard to sex, open relationships, drugs, same sex relationships. I grew up watching television during a time when shows were different, unique and fun. 

Some families give their children time to watch television, others do not have a television in their homes. If you allow your child to watch television, carefully explain to them what is real and fantasy, and limit their media usage. Parental codes are a great idea for small fingers who know how to push buttons (no pun intended). 

When I was a kid, I wanted to be Erica Kane. She was beautiful. Then I "met" Carrie Bradshaw. Carrie had clothes and shoes. And more shoes. 

My television viewing habits have changed-I don't have time to watch much tv these days. I love my must see shows and my reruns. In all honesty, I have little Carrie in me: she was a writer, I like to write. She had shoes, and I have makeup. And more makeup. 

But I don't live in NYC, have a job where I make tons of money, and I can't walk into a room and everyone cater to me. I am known in certain stores and restaurants around town. I work two jobs and more. I don't have cameras following me around 24/7, although that's not a bad idea. 

My life is my own television show, and I love it.