Around my sister's birthday, she seemed to think her job was in jeopardy, and it turns out she was right. She spoke to H.R. yesterday and will be leaving the company at the end of the month (She is a Managing Director at Accenture). This will mean some upheaval for all of us since our parents are currently on her health insurance, but we'll have to figure it out. She's been looking for a lateral move for a couple of months, but feels her age is working against her. I'm very worried about all of this.
And I have a tiny worry about Nu. It feels silly to say it out loud, given the state of the world. But Nu has worn the same seven shirts (washing them like clockwork every week) and Converses for at least three years now--everything is faded and falling apart. It's very environmentally responsible and it's waaaay better than being trendy just to add to the world's trash. But for some reason it makes me sad that my child is limiting themselves this way. When I've brought it up, Nu will rightly point out that they consume a lot of baked goods, CDs, books, and skincare products so they're not exactly an ascetic.
Pic: Huck and Max went to the groomer and came back with spring-themed bandannas that say: "Finally Spring!" And it cheers me up just to look at it. Nu's disdain for the gender-themed blue and pink was also entertaining.
22 comments:
Oh, that's a big worry about your sister! I hope she finds something else. It's tricky being unemployed at that age (ask me how I know! My brother. Etc. That's all I can really say)
I just realized that I have no idea what my sons wear. I mean, I do, but I don't know how often they switch things up. They are jeans and t-shirts kind of guys. It sounds like Nu likes their own style, and it is environmentally responsible, as you say!
I think Nu is making a statement--proudly--and should be commended. If they're happy and being themselves, perhaps it's not as worrisome as you think.
When my eldest son, Jared, was in elementary school, he learned about how Nike was using child labour to make their shoes. He immediately boycotted Nike and told his classmates about it. This boycott lasted the entire time he was in school. Lots of cool shoes were made by Nike, including the Air Jordans. But Jay held the line. He felt really empowered by his decision, and I bet Nu does as well.
I hope your sister can find something soon and that the parental insurance issues can be navigated smoothly. With age as a factor, the insurance really is significant. (Not to mention just the cost of living in today's world.) I admire Nu's belief -- but perhaps a visit to St. Vincent de Paul, Salvation Army or Goodwill would give the sense of a new shirt that is an old one, recycled in its own way.
I'm sorry to hear about your sister's job (and also that health insurance is tied to employment in India, just like here-- it's such a stupid system and some countries have a more rational approach.)
Do you think Nu would accept clothes as a gift and do they have a birthday coming up?
You could always switch the bandanas, unless the dogs wear different sizes.
You always seem to be able to guess, but that comment above was from me.
Take care.
Cooper is the SAME WAY with clothes. He has 5 pairs of Nike sweat pants and 6 hoodies, plus a few t-shirts to wear underneath, and he wears them until they literally fall apart and then buys a copy of whatever wore out. He is not interested in anything new. He wears shoes the same way. I don't know what this is, but it feels... normal-adjacent to me.
Oh that is such a stressful situation for your sister, especially with your parents being on her health insurance. I hope she can find another role very soon.
My husband also wears the same things over and over again. On our trip, I suggested that could maybe leave the 10+ year old Nike shirt that was fraying at the neckline and was shear in places from frequent wear... It's really hard to get him to throw things away, though! Another shirt he wore on the trip was a t-shirt he got when he was studying in Sevilla in 2004! He jokes that people pay a lot of money for the distressed look he rocks on a regular basis. Ha.
Huck and Max are too cute for words!!
I love that Nu was reassuring you by cataloguing all the things they DO consume! I like their list. But I'm with you. Life is hard and I think it's totally reasonable to worry about all the people we love right now
Oh dear, I am SO sorry to hear about your sister's job, and about the effect it will have on your parents' insurance. I hope your sister finds a new job SOON. I work in IT, and really fear being let go and having to find another job at my age. I am not old enough for medicare, and 'retiring early' is not an option.
Regarding Nu's clothing, I like the comfort you've gotten from other commenters here, but also...you kind of have to listen to your gut. My nephew refuses to buy anything new for ethical reasons, only wears clothes from thrift stores. If Nu didn't even want thrift store clothes, I might be concerned that it was some type of OCD or something. Just something to pay attention to, among the 1,000 other things you're already paying attention to. (For context, my daughter suffers from OCD and has an eating disorder (in remission, THANKFULLY) so I am a bit hyper-vigilant.)
Nu just has a "uniform." I think that's completely normal. My husband wears the same things to work over and over again and never has to think about his outfits. I think it will serve Nu well in the future. Imagine the time we could save if we didn't dither over clothing choices every morning.
Thanks, Nicole! Your boys have a style, but they're not wearing the same tee in every family pic, thankfully :)
Nance, I could stand to be more proud of Nu--you're right.
I love the Jared Nike story. Nu was like that with Skechers (they were anti-abortion). They had a cute cartoon dog pattern that Nu loved but didn't cave. It was impressive for someone in 4th grade.
Jeanie, thank you... all our fingers are crossed.
Some of Nu's wardrobe is from the South Lansing Goodwill... it's a very tightly curated one. (I can't wait for you to meet!)
Thanks, Steph... we're hoping to figure things out, or better yet, hoping another job comes along.
Nu would not accept clothes... is just using way less everything, actually.
What a Gordian-Knot-style solution to the bandanna problem!
And also, isn't it funny that there is another anon sometimes who is also a "Steph" and also in the D.C. area!
Thanks, Gillian!
Sarah--thanks a ton. It really, really, really helps to know this!
Lisa! You're back! But that means your vacation ended :/!
Thank you for the wishes for my sister's job, the compliment about H&M, and commiserating about our family members who rock the distressed look :)!
Yeah, I took it straight to the source :).
J--thanks so much for the good wishes--I'll pass them on. We're all crossing our fingers here. And I know you and I have commiserated on our own job security before.
Continued healing and recovery wishes to M. "Restricted behavior" is exactly what I'm afraid of with Nu--but talking to them about it has helped. Given the way our world is, I guess it's not surprising that kids try to stake control where they can :/
This is so true, Engie! Those skeletons on Nu's tees are beginning to feel like a member of the family at this point, though :D
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