A question of debate

I am not one to normally watch shows like "Toddlers & Tiaras" but there is a draw to it at times. I suppose its more of a morbid curiosity as to WHY mothers do the things they do to their children that they do on that show. You see kids having to be bribed into "practicing", forced into fittings and visits to the dentist for "flippers" because heaven forbid a child of age 6 not have all their teeth. There is no doubt that children like Eden Wood are very pretty little girls. Who wouldnt think that photos like these are pretty?

But to me these images are not of a little girl. These are images of a doll ~ little girls dont have perfect hair, little girls dont have perfect teeth...Pretty? Yes. Realistic? Nope....

What really bothers me is how "sexualised" these young girls are They are encouraged to wear "slutty" outfits, they are taught to "shake their tush"  to dance often times routines that could very easily be seen at the local strip clubs. To me thats disturbing. I find it sad that in today society things like breast feeding a baby is considered "poronographic" but dressing a child like this is found socially acceptable.

While the photos I am using are of Eden Woods, I am no way saying that she is the only one. The internet is flooded with these types of images. I chose Eden solely because she is one of the better known pageant girls. And while I agree Eden is one very pretty little girl, I often wonder exactly how much of it is her choice, as I do with many of the girls on this show. I also wonder how these young girls are going to be effected later in life. When Eden hits those teenage years, is she going to appreciate that her face is plastered all over the internet?

The "Joy" of taking kids to the store.

As many moms can relate I am sure, there is a typical sense of dread when you are faced with taking kids shopping. I don't care if you have one or twenty kids. There is the dread of lines, potential fits, the complaining, and dealing with the bordom as you shop to get the daily nessisittys. Now some moms, like myself, keep a pretty tight rein on their children in the store. Trying to impress upon the children safety, manners and proper behavior.

Then you have other parents who dont care how their child is behaving. There is always that one child, running a muck in the store. Hands all over the products, yelling, making messes of the displays ect. Often times this is the same child/children who are throwing fits in the checkout line because they want something and have been told no.Leaving the rest of the shoppers in the store, cringing at the high pitch squeals while the parents sit there oblivious to the discomphort of those around them.

Not that my children are perfect mind you. But I make it a point to ensure that my children are considerate of others. If I have a child who is behaving inappropriately I am not against just leaving. I have done it several times ~ and my children know I am not apposed to leaving. Not only will they not get anything special for a long time, but they will also be punished for forcing us to leave. (Often times an early bedtime and the threat of a tuna fish sandwich for dinner is enough to change their mind). I am quick to remove a tantruming child to the car ~ and have on more then one occasion been thanked by other patrons for doing so.

While I realise that every parent has a diffrent level of what they find "acceptable" when it comes to behavior. There are social norms that I do feel need to be stressed to children ~ even when they are young. For example when K "dances" while standing waiting for me to fill the cart with groceries. And I see her "kicks" and spins are disturbing others in the isle I point it out to her. Often times ~ she stops on her own after its pointed out she is disturbing others and that its not the time/place for that behavior. Now I find that my children point out to each other when they pick up on those very important social cues. To me its a sign I am doing my job correctly. My children are learning to think beyond themselves.