I am, as the mother of two small children, desperately trying to figure out why as a society we refuse to let our children be little. This whole concept hit me several years ago. Steve and I were attending a birthday party for a 4 year old. This bright little girl had a pink princess party. The favorite gift of everyone (Except for Steve and me) a hot pink leather miniskirt, fishnet stockings and a lace black top. No seriously this was the outfit not a halloween costume and she was FOUR. Who really thinks this is appropriate? I watched in horror as all these mothers were applauding and saying how cute K was going to look. UM Yes she would look cute if she was 20 and able to make this decision for herself.

Trisha wrote a fantastic article about clothing on little girls awhile ago and why young girls shouldn’t wear certain types of underwear. But I have seen more then just underwear that is inappropriate for a child or teen. I know that once kids reach high school they should have a little more say in what they wear but it ultimately lies on the parent to buy your child’s clothing. No matter what anyone thinks I don’t think thongs, miniskirts or fishnets are appropriate on a child under the age of 18.

As I was watching The Good Wife last night, I got to the point were I was caught up to live TV. I hate watching commercials and paused The Good Wife and switched to something else. Unfortunately I chose The Girls Next Door. Now I am definitely not a prude (Note the ad for Sexis to the right.) I used to watch The Girls Next Door when there was nothing else on. It could be entertaining at times. But last night I sat and was appalled by the conduct. It brought up my desire to know why we can’t just let our kids grow up naturally. I was shocked to watch Kristina and Karissa Shannon, Hef’s new twin girlfriends, sign their magazine issue. Before you say to me well the show airs at 10 something at night and on a cable channel. That isn’t what my issue was with. My issue was with the children that were there and having a magazine signed. Aren’t there lawas protecting our children against porn? And why was this allowed to be broadcast? There were children at this signing that could not have been more then 10. Last time I checked there was a federal law against selling or promoting porn to children.  A 10 year old is definitely under the age of 18 and therefore a minor. Now I’m sure this was sidestepped around because the parent/adult with these children were the ones to actually buy the magazine but they should not have been allowed to be photographed and videotaped with the twins signing their nude centerfold.

Another hit for my let them be little concept: Teen Dora. WHY? We have our own issues with Dora and Diego in our house. I just don’t like the shows but Charlie does and he will occasionally watch them. So could someone please tell me why Nickelodeon decided to make this little girl character grow up? What was the purpose? Strawberry shortcake, Lisa Simpson, Little Lulu, Annie all great characters that have been around for ages and not once were they made to grow up to fit an aging demographic. Why not produce new episodes for the new children that are coming into the Dora realm? Is the new Dora really going to stick to her map reading, adventrue life? Right now shes moving to a city and getting a new fashionable look.

And since it’s so close to Halloween I was helping a friend look for a costume for her daughter. Why must they all include fishnet stockings and mini skirts? Why can’t they be flowers and fairies for a little longer? Who thinks this costume is really appropriate for a young child? The child obviously has on heavy makeup. I have no problems with a little make up to enhance a costume but really this much is a lot more then needed. Maybe its the pose or if its the whole costume I’m not sure but she just looks tarted up to me.

Why can’t society just let our kids be little? Maybe if we didn’t rush them to grow up and adapt to adulot lives we would have less kids drinking, doing drugs, stealing cars and getting pregnant.

What are your thoughts?