Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Children's books

Join in for children's book recommendations.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

MNHQ

How does your child express their individuality? Tell us for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher plus picture book Odd Dog Out

238 replies

SorchaMumsnet · 25/01/2017 09:20

Rob Biddulph's beautiful new picture book Odd Dog Out is all about blazing a trail, and being who you are. To celebrate its publication, we're asking you to share how your mini superstars dare to be different.

It's a dog's life in the big city but one dog doesn't quite fit in. It's lonely being the odd dog out when all she wants to do is find her place in the world. She's willing to travel far on her quest, but it might take a different kind of journey for her to realise that maybe she's exactly where she needs to be.

A sublimely sunny and exquisitely illustrated tale about fitting in and standing out, from the award-winning and tremendously talented Rob Biddulph.

We'd love to hear how your little ones to express their individuality (and how you help them to do so) - whether it's insisting on wearing their favourite character costume 24/7 or only eating certain coloured food. For a chance to win a copy of Odd Dog Out and £100 voucher to spend at John Lewis, just tell us on this thread.

This discussion is sponsored by HarperCollins and will close at midday on 22 February

Books T&Cs apply

How does your child express their individuality? Tell us for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher plus picture book Odd Dog Out
How does your child express their individuality? Tell us for a chance to win a £100 John Lewis voucher plus picture book Odd Dog Out
OP posts:
emmmaaa26 · 04/02/2017 20:17

They can choose their outfits and play with what they want to.

AngelwingsPetlamb · 04/02/2017 19:29

I remember feeling very upset when my dc started infant school because he had to wear a uniform and conform. Up until that moment in time he had been able to choose what he wore and he loved to wear bright colours. Sometimes they were mismatched but he was always happy with his choices and I encouraged him because I'm a great believer in individuality and personal choice. I also did not want him to grow up only wearing / expecting to wear clothes from one brand or one store.
He also used to love dressing up in different costumes some of which we would make together with bits and bobs we bought from charity shops and then adapted.
I have a lovely collection of photos of him in all his different costumes for plays, parties, Halloween etc.

emmav6 · 04/02/2017 19:27

my eldest son has started to express himself in the clothes he wears and how he wears them so i will let him choose them himself and co-ordinate the outfits he wears

rupert23 · 04/02/2017 19:13

my eldest son who is now 19 and at Uni used to love wearing his red power ranger outfit everywhere. He loved it and even wanted to wear it to bed. I had to wait until he went to school to wash it. He thought he was a power ranger. I bet he will love me telling everyone about it now!

juju3 · 04/02/2017 19:11

Although she is only 7 months old her mannerisms are already developing

debbiew21 · 04/02/2017 16:25

By wearing unique (!) outfits mostly. But I love the fact that the older two will happily wear exactly what they like and not care about what others think. I wasn't like that at all. My DD was about 3 the first time she politely refused the dress I wanted to buy her and showed me exactly what she wanted instead. The youngest is very fashion conscious though. We went to parents' evening the other day and he asked me to remove my bobble hat before entering the school premises in case anyone saw me!!

muminbow · 04/02/2017 16:25

Lots of what looks like interpretive dance.

spottypjs · 04/02/2017 16:18

dancing around like a lunatic!

Eblessing · 04/02/2017 16:12

She does her hair up with lots of colourful clips and bows! Very funky.

beckyinman · 04/02/2017 15:21

By creating the most bonkers outfits you have ever seen! Part fancy dress, part indoors, part outdoor, sometimes odd shoes!

glennamy · 04/02/2017 15:19

DD shuns sweets and loves hot & spicy snacks/food which most toddlers react in disgust. She just giggles when her friends & the family look on astonished. :)

Girondella · 04/02/2017 14:35

I have twins - one loves sport, the other hates it; one can draw, the other can't; one can't do maths, the other is a whizz at it; one hates science, the other is fascinated by it. Born two minutes apart to the same parents and brought up the same - two completely different individuals!

compy99 · 04/02/2017 14:33

our little chap from very early on picked up song lyrics, he ignored the usual Wheels On The Bus, Twinkle Twinkle etc and instead started singing Beatles, Bowie, Queen and Wham songs, and not just the chorus the whole thing.

footdust · 04/02/2017 14:20

A bit of a naturist - will strip off at any opportunity

MrsFrTedCrilly · 04/02/2017 13:40

We mostly rock a dress up costume with multiple hats, beads and Wellington boots to every event. There is no concept of dress down Friday in my child's world, no trip to the supermarket is complete unless you are layered like a tiny Mr T in a sparkly frock... I never want it to end!!

muppet1501 · 04/02/2017 12:51

My DD likes to go everywhere in fancy dress or in similar clothes to her sister. 9/10 times i allow this but when it comes to somewhere, shall we say, more formal then i have to argue the case. She also likes to experiment with make up. Mostly looking like coco the clown but i wont ever knock her because she can only get better. The latest thing shes into is minecraft. (shes 6) She's a very creative little bundle and has a very vivid imagination and letting her expand on this will hopefully help her into the future,

RACHELSMITH45 · 04/02/2017 12:41

His mischeaviousness is expressed everywhere. Never have I seen a child with hypermobility manage to climb into the places he does. He loves hiding too and has the cheekiest expression when you find him up to mischief!! His red hair adds to that mischief I think!!

CheeseAtFourpence · 04/02/2017 12:24

She's currently wearing her superhero cape and helmet to go to the shops. She isn't one to shy away in the background!

happysouls · 04/02/2017 12:19

I don't really know that he did, other than complete stubborn-ness in terms of what he would and wouldn't do!

Annimousey · 04/02/2017 12:15

Mine likes to rock out to the likes of Arcane Roots and Biffy Clayton instead of nursery rhymes!

mo3733 · 04/02/2017 11:57

i let my child express herself in the way she dresses. she doesnt conform to the currently style and yet has a lovely eclectic way to dress that suits her bubbly personality

ptak5566 · 04/02/2017 11:43

Favourite phrase " I can do it myself" which when in a hurry can be very frustrating!!

123hartley123 · 04/02/2017 11:12

SHIRT OUT OF THEIR TROUSERS

LeeR1985 · 04/02/2017 10:49

When she's not in school I let my daughter pick her own clothes, she doesn't pick anything that matches and often wears stuff like trainers with princess dresses... but she loves it so i'm fine with it :)

donnatowner · 04/02/2017 10:35

As my youngest son is Non Verbal and on the Autism Spectrum he really is one of a kind. His individuality shows through his Stimming, amazing ability to work out puzzles and the fact he is always happy despite his lack of communication skills. He understands everything going on around him but he chooses not to interact with it all and conveys his needs through british sign language.