Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie

When Radical Ralphie is Just Not Having It

January 13, 2020 / 28 Comments
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie

The child is stubborn. More stubborn than I ever thought possible. I have been accused of being the same way. But this kid wins if it were an actual competition. You know those personality tests that give a brief description of who you are based on the first animal you see in a picture? We did this one the other day and I had to laugh at the description for the animal that Ralphie saw first.

“You are a natural-born leader. You naturally know how to convince people to follow you to achieve a common goal, but sometimes you can have a tendency to be dominant and your power can get a bit overwhelming. You are not afraid of any challenges, in fact, you like them because they give you an opportunity to show what you can do and feel like a winner. You are very competitive and have extraordinary strategic skills.” (Italics added by me)

That is the perfect description of my kid without ever using the word stubborn. When he decides to dig in his heels on an issue, any issue, it could be the stupidest thing in the world, you better prepare yourself for the fight of your life. Because he does not, he will not, he absolutely downright refuses to give in when he has set his mind on something.

Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie

And so yesterday, when I very humbly requested that he get dressed for an outfit photo shoot for a new Radical Ralphie blog post, he was less than enthusiastic. The weather was really gross yesterday, Daddy had just left for Louisiana for 3 weeks, and we had planned to spend the day in our jammies doing not much of anything before kicking into the new week. I managed to convince Ralphie to put on an outfit and we would just take photographs on the front porch because it was raining. He obliged me to the point of putting on clothes but then decided he absolutely was not wearing shoes. And so indoor photos it would have to be.

Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie
Kids’ fashion, plaid and stripes, Radical Ralphie

After snapping a total of nine pictures, he was done. And you can see how very cooperative he was for those nine photographs. Now if only this level of tenacity continues into his teenage and adult years and is focused on some serious goals, we might be onto something big.

Parenting. The struggle is real. Every damn day.

Keeping it on the edge,

Shelbee

Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.

Shop Ralphie’s look…

Outfit Details: Tee Shirt-Walmart / Plaid Shirt-Crazy 8 / Pants-Old Navy / Socks-Target

I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.

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28 Comments

  • Ellibelle

    January 13, 2020 at 2:16 pm Reply

    These pictures turned out great! Love the faces he’s making! My kids just want to roll their eyes at me (teenagers!) when I want to take a picture of them. Ok, not always but usually 🙂
    And I can totally relate with Ralphie. It’s so hard to drag myself outside for pictures this time of the year!
    Ellibelle’s Corner

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 13, 2020 at 4:55 pm Reply

      Thanks, Ellie! He usually always wants his picture taken. Like all the time. He will be doing something and he’ll say, “Mommy, take a picture and send it to your friends. I want to know what they say.” Totally cracks me up! Then I have to read all the comments to him on these posts. Maybe if he keeps up with this blogging gig of his, he won’t shy away from the camera in his teenage years!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 13, 2020 at 4:53 pm Reply

      Thanks, Mireille! He gets so goofy with his faces when he doesn’t want to take pictures. But at least he was making me laugh as well as cracking himself up. I don’t know how long he is going to keep at this boy fashion blogging gig, but I hope he does for a while longer!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • jodie filogomo

    January 13, 2020 at 4:36 pm Reply

    I don’t pretend to know how this feels Shelbee, but you know there’s always a case for being stubborn. It can get you a lot of places that you wouldn’t get if you’re willing to give up. So hopefully this will serve him well as he gets older. It’s just so darn hard on you now.
    In saying that it’s a great outfit he put together. So look, on the spur of the moment he can rock a fabulous style no matter what!!
    Xoxo
    Jodie

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 13, 2020 at 4:50 pm Reply

      Ha, thanks, Jodie! Stubbornness definitely becomes a great quality later in life. Heck, it’s not such a bad thing for him right now either…it just drives me crazy! But I can’t say that I am not partially to blame…that is if genetics are involved at all in the development of one’s personality. I most certainly have a stubborn streak myself.

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • ratnamurti

    January 13, 2020 at 10:24 pm Reply

    I’m chuckling over this. Is Ralphie a Taurus? The Most Stubborn sign in the zodiac. But cool as photos. He looks like someone who has Personality which is only a good thing

      • ratnamurti

        January 14, 2020 at 10:28 pm Reply

        chuckle. I have two adult daughters who both have Aries as their ascendant. Wow. (I am a soft Libran) Aries are brave and this is what I am proudest of them each for. Being so brave and fearless even when they are not feeling it. They get things done too, as do Taurus who are incredibly good at sticking with things and people, which I’m sure you already know about both. Both are signs I admire.

        • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

          January 15, 2020 at 11:15 am Reply

          Ratnamurti, thanks so much for your kind words. Ralph is definitely brave and fearless and that is a quality that will benefit him later in life…the fearlessness, however, is enough to turn my hair all sorts of gray! So yeah, I have an Aries, a Taurus, and I am a Gemini married to a Gemini.

          xoxo
          Shelbee

  • jess jannenga

    January 16, 2020 at 12:24 am Reply

    I am only a pet parent, but I know the struggle is real! hehe. I hear from my brother, who has 2 kids under 2! ( and he is nearing 50).. So I give you loads of credit!
    Ralphie , I can relate, as it has been crappy and raining her for the past 3 days straight! It doesnt motivate you to do pics right?
    Anyhow, I like the mix of your striped shirt and plaid button down. The matching striped socks add a nice touch!
    thanks for linking!
    jess xx
    http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 16, 2020 at 12:17 pm Reply

      Thanks, Jess! I am sure that trying to get Gibson and Truffles to pose for pictures is not an easy task either! We aim for photo shoots on the weekends with Ralphie so I can post on Mondays, but I really have to catch him in the right mood. Our weather hasn’t been too bad this week, but the stomach bug is running rampant through our house right now, so no pictures for anyone!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

  • Mica

    January 20, 2020 at 7:02 am Reply

    Such a shame he’s no longer enjoying taking photos for the blog – but he did have a very cute outfit! 🙂 I get frustrated with my sons stubbornness sometimes, but I know it will stand them in good stead when they are older! I want them to speak up and challenge things, even if it does make mealtimes and bedtimes a bit tricky, haha!

    Thanks so much for joining the #WeekdayWearLinkup! A new link up is live on my blog now, I’d love you to join again.

    Hope you had a wonderful weekend! We went to a theme park yesterday with family visiting from Western Australia and it was so fun 🙂

    • shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com

      January 21, 2020 at 2:25 pm Reply

      Mica, thanks so much! I think Ralphie will get back to it with his outfit photos. We have all been a bit under the weather and the weather has been downright miserable, so that doesn’t help matters. I agree with you though, the stubbornness will be a good quality when they are older. It does make parenting difficult though! It sounds like you had a lovely weekend!

      xoxo
      Shelbee

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Shelbee on the Edge