Maybe I've caught one too many episodes of "Toddlers and Tiaras." Maybe I've spent too much time around "bikini babes" at the pool this summer. Maybe it’s because I’m about to have a teenager in the house, or maybe I'm just old fashioned. But one thing I know for sure is that kids are growing up way too fast!
I'm sure if you have kids, you know what I'm talking about. I distinctly remember the moment when I first noticed it. It's when my daughter outgrew the 4-6x clothing section at Kohl's. That's been a few years now, but I stood in the 7-whatever section trying to find something tasteful, not trashy. Thank heavens for Gymboree!
As my kids get older, there are more and more instances that make me shake my head in disbelief. Fourth graders on Facebook, preteens getting highlights, "booty call" shorts just to name a few. I can't even begin to mention some of the topics that middle schoolers know about. I brought some up at around some 60+ year old family members recently and they were stunned.
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How can we let this happen? I'm shocked at the number of kids allowed to watch Glee, Teen Moms and other shows that not only display risky behaviors, but glorify it. There was only a minor uproar at padded bikini tops being marketed to preteens recently. I personally don't want my daughter objectified. I don't want her to feel that her worth is based on her outward appearance, and I certainly don't encourage her to date. Both my kids know that what matters most to us is their faith first, then school, then their hobbies.
Don’t get me wrong—I don’t think that my husband and I are perfect parents, but I know we’ve got this down right. I’m proud that my kids still like to play; I’m happy that they don’t spend every waking moment on the computer or their phones (only my daughter has a phone mind you), and I’m so thankful that they know the difference between what’s appropriate and what’s not.
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Are they perfect? No. Do I expect them to be? By no means. I just want them to know that it’s OK to be a kid. This time goes by so fast. I want them to go outside…get dirty…play hard…and enjoy life. Far too soon they’ll be the ones who worry about how they look, who likes them and what’s cool and uncool. I certainly won’t worry them with that now. I intend to let them be little as long as I possibly can.