Comments on: Dad2twins is getting serious. (Well only for today.)

By: Melissa R. Garrett

Melissa R. Garrett — Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:43:39 +0000

I truly lamented the day that Hannah could no longer fit into a 5T from the infant and toddler department at Target. Now that she’s moved up a size and into the “Girls” section, it is SO difficult to find what I consider, “normal” clothing. She’s a very impressionable girl, so much so that it scares me. I’m very mindful of what I do and say around her. I’m a shy and conservative person who defnitely doesn’t “sex it up” for anyone. But Hannah would, if given the choice, choose to wear short skirts and belly shirts. And she constantly asks me when can she wear makeup (even though I don’t). She’s SEVEN!! Raising daughters is difficult. I am constantly having the discussion with her that we should respect our bodies and our character, that our brains are more important than our looks, that real “ladies” do not dress like tramps (I don’t use that word with her!).

It’s a constant struggle . . .

By: Becky

Becky — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 22:20:29 +0000

I say focus more on the companies than the parents. People willl ALWAYS buy stupid shit. No matter what. But the people who come up with this stuff? We need to start shaming them … “shame on you for even THINKING of a 6-year-old in a thong.” Yeah, we can chat about it among ourselves, but these companies need to hear from parents. You might also check out some organizations that fight over-commercialization and targeting children with advertising.

By: Lance

Lance — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 20:02:00 +0000

Jay -

I agree. In the end, it really comes down to parenting. I just would like a little less competition from the world when it comes to the influences that are out there.

Lance

By: Jay

Jay — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 19:45:50 +0000

This very topic sickens me. I have a 12yo daughter, as well as my 3yo twin girls. I have been internally struggling with this delimma for YEARS. Thankfully my daughter (the older one) has myself, and her step-mother, to set examples for her. We are both “normal” women. We don’t dress like sluts, we don’t appreciate other women, or girls, that do, and my oldest knows this. Yes, she likes some of the clothes that are out there, but most, she does not. Happily, she is a jeans and sweatshirt girl right now. As I was, and still am. I have had discussions with her on why she can’t, or shouldn’t, wear certain things, and she understands. Right now, we are OK on this front. Come see me again in 2 or 3 years though. UGH!

My hubby and I had this discussion a couple of weeks back. About why these stupid clothing manufacturers can’t see that they are causing these young, impressionable girls to dress so utterly inappropriately. But as long as we parents keep either buying the clothes, or allowing our daughters to, then they will keep making them. How do you fight that? How do you fight an entire CONTINENT of people willing to look th other way when it comes to the attire of our young girls? I just hope that I have taught my oldest well enough to make the right decisions.