As my kids were growing up, Labor Day always signaled the end of summer and the beginning of another school year.  According to my mother, you put away the white pants, dresses and shoes until next Memorial Day.  I never quite understood the reasoning.  Isn’t it funny the traditions we create without really putting a great deal of thought into them?

For example, where I live – the frozen Tundra of Minnesota – our first snowfall can occur as early as September or as late as November.  White shoes and pants would be perfect during snowy months.  You’d blend right in with your environment.  You wouldn’t have to wear camouflage if you were a hunter.  Of course you might be putting your own life on the line by doing so.  You could become invisible as you shovel the sidewalk and freak out all your neighbors.  If the kids were looking for you, you might get a few extra minutes to yourself.  The advantages are countless.

When you think about it, white is worn to reflect the sun.  In the colder months we try to stay warm so we choose to wear darker colors. However, when you’re a young mom and you’re camping with three youngsters, those white things have a pretty good chance of getting grass stained or covered with S’Mores in time.  Doesn’t it make more sense to wear darker colors during the busy summer months to hide some of that stuff?  I mean moms really wind up collecting a lot of dirt, grime, food stains and other assorted discolorations in summer.

We’ve  gotten away from those old traditions as time passes.  I’ll bet many young moms don’t even know the rule for wearing white.  What difference does it make?  It really doesn’t matter what color you wear or when you wear it.  Sometimes we just have to break the rules.

HAPPY LABOR DAY, EVERYONE!