Not jumping to any conclusions. I just attended a lecture a few years ago put on by the Parents' League and another parent group in NYC. They brought in this Harvard Professor who specializes in teens.
She discussed the whole shortening the band of childhood, which shortened the band of other experiences which, in her opinion and research has led to the middle school sexual experience, mostly friends with benefits. I have yet to meet a parent who thinks it will be their kid who goes that way because of their actions. I do not know what I can do or can't do to prevent or divert her from this type of experiences, but she stressed about doing things that make them older than they are, like make-up.
Giving them make up is different than when kids got into mommy's lipstick. And if they lose interest, what will they be interested in when they are 10?
I am not the expert, and I do set my own rules, but was shocked when she received this make up kit as a gift? And they all went off to play teenagers, put make up on and pretend they had boyfriends.
I did let her have make up for ballet recitals but it was for performing, not to look better. I hate that she thinks she isn't beautiful enough that she needs make up at 5 which is the message.
She asked me why she can't get her ears pierced since this girl and this girl and this girl have pierced ears. I won't say what I told her but she won't be wanting to wear make up or get ears pierced anytime soon.
She had her first ballet class for a Technique class and the teacher told her to take her skirt off (a ballet skirt), not allowed until she earns it. And that they have to have a neat bun, told us to get bobby pins and nets (went to CVS and couldn't find a net) but I welcome the discipline. I welcome you have to earn the skirt. And that is how I want make up to be, a stage to grows up to, not applied to her because I think it is cute. I don't want a Jon Benet kid.
Ren
