Impressionable Ones

People often tell me that my face is very expressive.  Meaning that what I'm thinking is pretty much always in plain view for the world to see.The funny part of this is that people tell me that I'm expressive, but I don't even realize I do it.  But recently it was brought to my attention in a very public way.  I like to show off pictures of my kiddos, and my youngest, who is 3, has been going through this phase where she does the most dramatic poses when you take her picture.  And I could NOT figure out where she was getting this from.  I was talking about that one day and showing one of her facial poses in a picture to some customers that were in town for a visit.  Thirty minutes later while I was talking and then waiting for a response, half the room burst into laughter.  I was making THE face that I was just complaining about the little one making, and I had no idea!  It was halfway mortifying and halfway funny.  But it really made me think about how impressionable young ones are.  They pick up on so much that we do and say and we really have no idea how much they are truly absorbing.   Until it's called to your attention that those dramatic facial expressions and snarky sayings that you thought were coming from nowhere, are actually a byproduct of them watching you.  Needless to say, I've been trying to watch myself more carefully when they are in my presence, but wow is it hard.  And then I wonder to myself, where did I learn these things?  From my parents?  No.  I'm a complete opposite of both of my parents in so many ways.  From my friends growing up?  Maybe, though I don't recall anyone being particularly dramatic or snarky in my circle of friends (aside from myself apparently).

So, now I'm more aware of the faces I make, and how they come across.  And, a few months ago, I would have worked to hide it, to change it because I don't want to be labeled as...well, whatever label the person witnessing it feels like slapping on me.  I can see wanting to be more careful around my kiddos.  But, aside from that, I say screw it.  I'm not changing it.  I'll continue to make my faces, throw my snark around, and when those around me offer criticism or sigh disapprovingly because of it, my response will be this:  This is me. Take it or leave it.