by Angie Dornier

For as much as I really want to enjoy the rhythm and routine of my family’s daily life, there are some nights (that usually follow long days) when it’s much more difficult than others. On nights like that, every little thing feels arduous, exaggerated, and often absurd. This collection of images from mom and photographer Angie Dornier reminds me that I am not alone. But, even better, it reminds me that there can be such poignant beauty in the moments that feel difficult and drawn out, and that capturing the most authentic moments of our family life is perhaps the best and most beautiful artform there is.

In my next life, I'm pretty sure I want to come back as a kid in Beverly Hills. Because if the new reality show Beverly Hills Nannies is any indication, those tots have it pretty dang good. Just take 4-year-old Brooklyn Faulk. The little darling gave her new nanny Justin quite a first day on the job when she pitched herself a big old hissy fit over something the average 4-year-old doesn't even know exists: A facial. As in, she wanted a facial. Immediately.

You know the way most toddlers kick and scream about watching one more episode of Dora the Explorer before bed or not wanting to leave the playground or having ice cream for dinner? Well, that's the level of tantrum this kid threw over getting a relaxing spa treatment.

Now, don't get me wrong ...

Ashlee Simpson's 3-year-old son Bronx has the most adorably long locks. Though, I have no doubt the mom is getting flack for letting her little boy's hair get so long.

My son has super curly hair too. It fell in the cutest ringlets at his shoulders and not everyone was a fan. Some friends, family members, and even friends of family members would say, "Oh you should cut his hair," "He looks like a girl," or ask in a judgemental tone, "When are you going to cut that child's hair?" In their mind, long hair was FOR GIRLS ONLY.

The latest Mom vs. Man give me a headache, literally. Hunter and Natalie were an attractive couple minding their own business when host Lauren O'Quinn cornered them in a public space and asked Hunter to do the unthinkable. Put Natalie's hair in a pretty, pretty dance recital bun in less that 60 seconds. OH NO! Does it really have to be PRETTY pretty? Because I'm predicting this is going to get pretty ugly pretty fast.

You'll excuse me for totally not realizing we were no longer in the middle of economic hard times in America, as I look around and see all of these high end spas trotting out a kids' menu for services. Yep, a kids' menu so your children can spend some time relaxing and beautifying themselves for hundreds of dollars. Children as young as 4 years old are included in some of these spa packages, because ... why? Pre-school is hard? Art time has gotten way too competitive?

What the heck is going on, America? Why are we treating our kids like they need to be pampered beyond "Here's your snack, go play"?

I think I have an idea as to the why. Mostly because I'm guilty of the charges, on three counts.

Breaking news! Three-year-old Vivienne Jolie-Pitt was spotted wearing bright red lipstick! Bright red lipstick, you say? This is huge!! We haven't seen bold toddler style like this since the heyday of Suri Cruise.

And now, let the detailed analysis begin: Is Vivienne merely emulating Angelina Jolie's trademark look? Is bright red lipstick really appropriate for a 3-year-old? Did Vivienne choose the right shade of red for her skin tone?

Are you kidding me?!

I want to make a very important distinction here, one that seems to be lost on far too many people: Everything we call "fashion" -- makeup, clothes, shoes, hair, etc. -- when we're talking about adults or teens or even tweens goes by a different name when we're talking about toddlers: "Dress-up."

A woman in Wales has come under fire for going on rock climbing adventures with her toddler daughter strapped to her back. Pictures of Menna Pritchard, 26, scaling steep cliffs while wearing her 2-year-old daughter, Ffion, peering over her shoulder are amazing. But when the avid baby-wearer posted them online, some became outraged that she'd put her child in danger like that.

Personally I find her absolutely inspirational rather than irresponsible.

When I first found out I was having a girl, my thoughts immediately went to her hair. Ever since I was young, I've loved to play with people's hair. I would pounce on any head of hair I could find to braid and bedazzle it, crimp and curl, and otherwise experiment with the lovely locks of anyone who would let me. Now, here I would have a little subject of my very own.

Only now that my almost-3-year-old has a full head of very long hair, it's become much more of a pesky problem than a perk. The biggest dilemma -- finding a style we both like (read: not just a big tangled mess that covers her face). It took the good part of a year to get her to let me put pigtails in her hair. Turns out she's doesn't like pigs, but once I called them "sheep tails," she magically acquiesced.

So as the holidays approach with a million photo ops and events to attend with her and hair, I've been collecting some ideas.