Wow. I seriously think that all parents should have parenting classes offered to them every couple of years.
We watched a documentary on girls ages 11-14 and how they thought the media affected them. Now this was done about 6 or so years ago when Brittany, Mandy Moore and Christina Aguillara were the hot young things. It is frightening the things our girls absorb just from the media. That is tv and magazines. Now with the computer such a popular item, I am sure it is worse.
2 weeks of the class and I want to never buy a magazine other than Real Simple, want to take away tv and computer until my kids are 30 and basically never let them out of the house. The other 5 moms and I want to live in a bubble on Costa Rica. Not very probable, but a fantasy, nonetheless.
The 4th grade girls have been a group since preschool that we knew to watch out for. OK, so B is one of them. It is just a class of very strong willed leader type girls. They had cliques when they were 4. I wouldn't believe it, if I hadn't have seen it with my own eyes. Now that they are 9, things are getting worse. B came home talking about the different "groups" of kids and considers herself a "floater". Today she told me that there is a group of girls that is known as the mean girls and are saying things like, "You're a loser", "Those earrings are so ugly, why are you wearing them" and "you are mean" to various girls in the class.
I just don't get how gjrls get this way. Well, I guess I do, but I would rather not. These are girls that I have known since they were like 2 years old. I am friends with their parents.
One of the things we (the moms in the class) decided was to try to get our kids involved in something they loved, whether it be sports, drama or music. I know, growing up, I was a ski racer and didn't want anything to interfere with my Olympic goal. I didn't quite make it to the Olympics, but I never got into too much trouble in high school either.
I think reading some of the books I suggested last week whether you have girls or boys would be the first step toward a better world. I suppose, petitioning the media for less sex or sexiness in shows, commercials, videos, etc... would be the next thing.
7 comments:
Oh, my gosh ... I don't have kids, but the thought of having kids someday and having them grow up into preteens and teenagers SCARES me to DEATH!
As the mother of two girls (16, 18) I know that a challenge it has been. We've been through the MEAN girl crap, the bad best friend, the image issues, you name it. You have to buckle up, be in your kid's face as much as you can and pray, pray, pray.
whew. I'm still on the roller coaster, although it's not quite as scary...
Ugh, makes me glad I don't have girls: the DRAMA! But there's a whole other set of issues with boys, so I guess we're stuck in this together. :)
I agree: Parenting classes are a great idea!
It seems to me, that girls are growing up way to quickly these days. (God, I sound old!) When I was 9 and 10 it was all about being outside on my bike and I would never have worn a dress. I didn't even discover mani-pedis until after I got into the work force, and I just met a 2 year old that had one! 2!! Professional mani-pedi!!(And know several my son's age -5- that have had them often.) I think girls are wonderful, but I'm sure it's really tough to raise one in this day and age.
It has been so hard with our 13 year old duaghter. We've been and are going through every issue vodka mom mentions. We read the books and try to do what they say, but I think things are worse now than they were a year ago. It's good to hear that we aren't the only family dealing with these things.
I am right there with you sista!
I have a nine year old daughter and the drama is never ending!
You're right...keep your girls busy with something they love and it will help keep them out of any trouble (or in the company of troublemakers). I was in band. Nerd, yes, but not in any trouble. :)
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