Painted nails and “not being a real boy”

When my kids asked me to have my nails painted to, I had a really strong reaction to it in my gut.
I was afraid.
I was immediately afraid of what people would think about me. And all that has its roots in my history.
That could genuinely have stopped me from joining in this bit of fun. More importantly, it could leave me saying one thing to my kids, and doing another.
It could even, in a roundabout way, show them that while Daddy says it’s ok to be who you are, he shows us with his behaviour that you shouldn’t do things that make you stand out and that you should try and stay in your lane.
I don’t want that for them. And, I’d I’m honest, I don’t want that for me.
So here’s my challenge: do something that makes me feel uncomfortable, because it will help me undo some of that rubbish I’ve been carrying around with me, and it might also help me be a better dad.
PS just as I was posting this my middle child came into my office and said “daddy I don’t want you to take your nail things off” 😂 well timed!