GotoBabyGifts

It seems that only a few years ago that the only times celebrity children were mentioned in gossip mags were over an odd name. Sure, having a child named Rumer, Moon Unit, or Apple may seem odd, but as soon as the children were born, they quickly disappeared in their parents’ shadows. In the case of Rumer Willis, the child of Demi Moore and Bruce Willis, she didn’t appear to get much attention between birth and her burgeoning acting career of the present.

But, all of this seemed to change over the past few years. Gene-perfect babies Suri Cruise and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt are in the tabloids just as much as their parents are. It’s a good thing that neither of them has fully developed reading skills yet. Average adults seldom like their fashion sense critiqued, but a child? Although completely unaware now, how will either of them react once the gossip mags continue criticizing them into adolescence?

But, the prevalence and expose of celebrity spawn has brought up another issue: a child’s identity. Angelina Jolie, with her own identity issues early in her acting career, recently discussed her several children in an issue of Vanity Fair. She spoke about Zahara having a feminine side and liking traditional girly attire, while Shiloh was described as being “like a dude.”

Children start forming their tastes early, and perhaps this interview with Jolie is a prime example of this. Although Shiloh is derided for her masculine taste in clothing (and her mother for supposedly pushing lesbianism on her child), her tastes may change, and her wardrobe, no matter how much it costs, is simply an example of a child selecting her clothing. After all, a four-year-old tomboy may change into the prom queen over the next 14 years of her life; identity is always fluid and even changing into adulthood.

When it comes to your own children, purchasing a celebrity wardrobe is out of the question. But because clothing and toys do form part of a child’s identity and ability to make choices, have him or her pick out a few items. Although parents should stick with basics because young children grow quickly, having one or two pieces of unique baby clothing picked out by the child will start to let him or her form likes and dislikes.