Connecting moms in Polk County, Fla.

Tweens Sexy Too Soon

Having the sex talk: Is your tween too sexy too soon?

A prudent chat with your child? Could be. Although my "baby" is days away from 6 years old, I see her appreciating make-up and clothes not appropriate for elementary and middle school aged children. I see long drawn on talks in my house in the future.

Even when it comes to choosing a Barbie to purchase. Instead of a tasteful business suite Barbie, she wants a Barbie baring her mid-riff and wearing a short skirt barely covering her plastic behind!

You know what I really like about the above link? It actually plays conversational scenarios as examples on great lead-ins and how-tos on talking with your children on subjects like wearing make-up and clothing not appropriate for their age.

Do you see this as a future discussion in your household? Are you already having struggles with a child dressing age appropriate?

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Permalink Reply by Jmarr on June 19, 2012 at 7:04pm

My husband and I have discussed the inappropriate dress of our son's friend. She is only 9, but she looks more like 12. My husband said he saw her in her underwear the other day. I told him it was probably a bikini, as I have seen her riding her bike around in one. When a girl is still at an age where she doesn't understand what's appropriate, we need to guide her as parents. If they are going to be rough-housing with their brothers and doing cartwheels, they don't need to wear a mini skirt! This girl was playing that Wii dancing game at a Christmas party for adults and children and she was grinding her hips with her little skirt...did her parents not notice? If they are going to allow her to dress and move like that, they will need to have that talk with her very early. She will draw unwanted attention from a lot of creepy guys.

My daughter has shown an interest in dance classes. I go to the websites of the local dance schools and see the pics of the little girls with the skimpy outfits and full make-up. I show it to my husband and he says "no.". I don't blame him judging from the pictures alone. It will take me a while to pick a school, as I will be watching a few classes first to see what type of moves they do! I seem to remember wearing some makeup for a ballet recital when I was five, but I wasn't doing pelvic thrusts to Lady Gaga songs in a bathing suit!

Back to tweens...middle schools are usually 6th, 7th and 8th. Because of the school age cut off where I grew up, I would have been 10 when starting middle school...so young! I suppose middle school (tweens) is when it all starts. I was wearing eyeliner by then. I think this is when girls need the most guidance, so they don't grow up too fast! I think by high school, girls can start to dress a little more grown up, as they are more mature, and have probably had a talk with their parents already....but a watered down talk with a middle schooler might be in order as well. I learned about sex from friends by that age, so I assume my kids might also...making the talk a bit easier.