Celebrating Expression: From Dresses to Dirt

When I was a little girl,

you could find me in my prettiest dress

—climbing to the tippy top of the tallest trees in the yard.

My skirt catching the breeze.

Knees scraped and dirty.

Leaves in my hair.

Giggles from my mouth.

I didn’t climb despite the dress.

I climbed because I could.

Because no part of me needed to be left behind—

not my joy, not my wildness, not my softness.

That freedom to be whole—

both tender and strong, both bold and beautiful—

stayed with me.

And now, it’s one of the best gifts I offer my children.

I raise them with bare feet and happy hearts,

with space to express who they are from root to tip.

As their personal home hair dresser,

they choose their look:

Mohawks

Side shaves

Rainbow hair

Or a freshly shaved head to look like Dr Eggman

Sparkles one day,

scabs and scraped knees the next.

Their expressions aren’t just cute or quirky.

They’re important.

Because expression is developmentally essential.

It’s how kids explore their identity, their autonomy, their creativity.

It’s how they practice being seen—

not for who we expect them to be,

but for who they already are.

When we affirm their choices—

from the color of their socks

to the way they carry their body through the world—

we teach them:

“You can trust yourself.”

“You are allowed to change.”

“Your voice belongs here.”

And that is the foundation for confidence,

resilience, and deep inner knowing.

So when I see my child twirling in a cape,

or covered in mud with glitter on their cheeks,

I don’t rush to clean or correct.

I pause.

I witness.

I celebrate.

Because this is what raising whole humans looks like.

From dresses to dirt,

from softness to ferocity,

from the crown of their heads to their wild bare toes—

every part of them belongs.

Expression isn’t rebellion.

It’s embodiment.

And it’s worthy of being seen, supported, and celebrated.