My Little Jaybird

I think we may have gone too far this time. In our efforts to reinforce good body image and safety within the walls of our home, we may or may not have turned our daughter into a streaker. She likes to be naked. She wears the bare minimum, and is most comfortable running around the house in her panties. We have tried to curb her enthusiasm for running into the living room (no matter who is visiting) after her bath, and before her pajamas.

We may have reached a turning point in our struggle with her desire to be as God made her all the time. We were informed by her preschool teacher (did I mention she goes to school at our church??) that she had an accident on the playground that required her to change her pants in the bathroom.

You see where this is going, don't you?

Apparently, Grace dropped her shirt in the toilet (don't get me started) and decided that she needed to tell her teacher. She gets points for trying to do the right thing, but then it all fell apart quickly thereafter. Telling the teacher involved running down the hallway to her classroom, completely naked with Ms. Lydia trailing close behind trying desperately to catch her.

Guess who made it to the classroom filled with boys and girls?

Oh yes. She did. I shudder to think of the questions some of the little boys asked their parents last night. I have to assume that not all of them have little sisters, and therefore are not familiar with the differences in their bodies. I'm still waiting for the phone calls to start.

Although the nudity in a public place was inappropriate, what we really focused on was the fact that she did not obey her teacher. Ms. Lydia was all but screaming her name and telling her to stop, and she just ignored her. This was the real issue, because she must obey authority whether it is Trevor and me, or her teachers or God. We want her to understand that everyone is under authority, and that is for our good.

Don't worry, we had the discussion about nudity and when and where it's appropriate to be naked. So don't be surprised if you see Gracie on a Girls Gone Wild special in 15 years or so. Although, it really wouldn't be that special at all.

I think I might need to stop now and pray for a minute or 273.