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Mom dresses in costume every day to teach son a lesson about being different

Julie Mudrick wears a different costume each day in October to meet her son at the school bus, to teach him that it's OK to be silly.
/ Source: TODAY Contributor

A mom’s attempt to help her son to have fun and accept himself has turned into a tradition that the entire neighborhood anticipates every year. Every school day in October, Julie Mudrick dresses in a different costume to meet her children at the bus stop; since she started in 2013 she has worn 117 unique outfits.

“Sometimes in childhood you don’t remember specific memories,” she told TODAY. “I love that there will be this happy memory that is so distinct.”

Costumes every day in October
Julie Mudrick started dressing up for son Luke to teach him it's okay to have fun and be unique. Nacho Libre is one of his favorite costumes his mom has worn to the bus stop.Courtesy Julie Mudrick

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Several years ago, Mudrick, from Vienna, Virginia, worried about her son, Luke, who was then in third grade. If he made a mistake, he was really hard on himself. He often seemed afraid to have fun. One day on the way to the bus stop, she stopped by a store and picked up a pair of novelty glasses to wear to meet him. That's when a notion struck her.

“I got the idea that I am going to dress up every day of October," she said.

Costumes every day in October
Since daughter Isabella, 13, started middle school, she has been joining Julie Mudrick in costume to pick up her siblings from the bus stop. Courtesy Julie Mudrick

The mom of five dedicates 30 minutes a day to prepare each costume. Mudrick tries making costumes out of things she has a home. A pair of green jeans became legs for a Kermit the Frog costume. Bathing suit bottoms helped her transform into Superman and Nacho Libre, one of Luke’s favorite costumes.

One of Julie Mudrick's favorite costume this October is when she dressed as the Nutcracker and daughter Isabella, 13, dressed as a ballerina. Mudrick only takes 30 minutes for each costume.
One of Julie Mudrick's favorite costume this October is when she dressed as the Nutcracker and daughter Isabella, 13, dressed as a ballerina. Mudrick only takes 30 minutes for each costume.Courtesy Julie Mudrick

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Mudrick hoped her children would learn from her example that it was OK to “stand out and be different.” And, she thinks her costume campaign is making a difference.

“They are willing to have fun. When they do fail at something they pick themselves back up. And they realize it is okay to be different than anyone else,” she said.

When her oldest daughter, Isabella, 13, started at middle school on a different bus, Mudrick asked if she wanted her to come to her bus stop, too. But Isabella said no. She wanted to dress up with her mom. Mudrick has been planning group costumes with her daughter and sometimes her 4-year-old son James.

Costumes every day in October
This year daughter, Isabella, 13, told Julie Mudrick she too wanted to dress up to meet her siblings at the bus. Now Mudrick plans fun costumes for the two of them.Courtesy Julie Mudrick

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“I love that it is helping her develop a talent,” she said. “She is learning a talent to face paint and act.”

When others wonder if Mudrick has too much time on her hands, she ignores the criticism. She feels glad that she’s taught her children it’s OK to be different while making others happy.

Costumes every day in October
To help son Luke enjoy life more, Julie Mudrick started dressing up in a different costume each day of October starting in 2013. Now everyone in the neighborhood expects to see Mudrick in costume.Courtesy Julie Mudrick

“If I spend 30 minutes a day every school day of October to be unique and bring joy to others, that is my priority."