Some of the parents are way more crunchy-granola-earth-mother than I (that's not hard to do, actually); some are very outspoken advocates for the environment, others are quietly religious or not-so-quietly not, but everyone wears their civility hats and there are some fruitful and downright delightful discussions.
One of these centered around little girls and their swimwear. A mom asked if anybody had recommendations for swimwear, and how she didn't like two-piece suits on little girls. My response was that I like two-piece suits for our eldest, because it's easier for them to use the bathroom and change when it's wet (versus a one-piece). However, I insist on decent coverage -- no tummies showing -- and nothing that looks like string bikini pieces with triangles over the chest. Lands End has a lot of nice stuff that works well for us, usually tanks with boy shorts or a rash guard t, occasionally a little swim skirt (which our daughter requested).
One of these centered around little girls and their swimwear. A mom asked if anybody had recommendations for swimwear, and how she didn't like two-piece suits on little girls. My response was that I like two-piece suits for our eldest, because it's easier for them to use the bathroom and change when it's wet (versus a one-piece). However, I insist on decent coverage -- no tummies showing -- and nothing that looks like string bikini pieces with triangles over the chest. Lands End has a lot of nice stuff that works well for us, usually tanks with boy shorts or a rash guard t, occasionally a little swim skirt (which our daughter requested).
Look, I'm not a particularly conservative person, certainly not politically (I MIGHT be a socialist) but when it comes to little girls' clothing, I guess I kind of am. But when a child is 5, or 9, or 2, I don't think it's appropriate to put clothes on her that make it look like she has a bust. I also don't think it's appropriate to let them wear sparkly high-heeled shoes to school (yeah, I'm looking at you, Suri). Around the house? Sure! Dress up! Wear high heels! Wear your princess dress! I'm the girl who cleans the house in a t-shirt with the neck ripped out, boxer shorts, and a sparkly tiara, so I get it. I GET IT.
But if you can't run without falling, you can't be a kid. And if you look like you're trying to be 15, you're not enjoying where you are RIGHT NOW. And once you start caring about how your body looks, the way that girls and women do, you can't NOT.
Kids grow up so fast -- what they see on tv and hear on the radio pushes them down the tunnel of tweendom and pop culture before we think they're ready...why would we want to rush that even more? Hearing my daughter say "You look sexy, Mama" really bothers me, especially because she doesn't know what it means. I ask her, and she said "It means you look like you're ready to be married with someone."
Yep, that's right. That's EXACTLY what it means. And seeing as she doesn't want to get married until she's at least 30 years old, I think my plan is working.
And if all else fails, there's this:
2 comments:
I got into a debate with a coworker about 2 pc swimwear for girls. She ranted and raved about how it sexualizes them too early and she didn't want her 3 yr old daughter wearing them. I shrugged and said, good luck pulling down her wet 1 pc when she needs to use the potty.
The daughter now has a 2 pc tankini.
Exactly!!! I have a hard time pulling up a wet one piece when I have to use the ladies room, and I've had years of practice. There are good two piece options that inhabit that lovely middle ground between Mormon orthodoxy and Toddlers & Tiaras.
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