tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15513876.post7582562131259143744..comments2024-02-12T09:07:37.691-06:00Comments on I am doing the best I can: Demonic Store, I Rebuke Thee - ReduxDawnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12920042208198309201noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15513876.post-43785383860574028352011-04-20T19:08:56.339-05:002011-04-20T19:08:56.339-05:00Amira - First Congratulations!
AS to the explaini...Amira - First Congratulations!<br /><br />AS to the explaining, I admit that in Terrance's family there is less emphasis on the explaining. However, I explain to Emily not because I am trying to "win" her to my side, but because I know that she is going to have to live a life without Me. <br /><br />Every step we take moves her more into "The World", beyond my sphere of influence. I can only hope that when she is Out, as an older teen, that my explanations will echo in her decision making.<br /><br />Becky, Em doesn't stop from Asking - from ridiculous heels, to lip balm to Shirts that I consider to racy for her. That is her job - to seek out the parameters of her parents authority And she executes this job with great expertise. Usually with a final warning that if she asks One more time, then we are leaving with nothing.<br /><br />Padded bras? Snort. As if.<br /><br />Laura, it will get more difficult - Em sometimes asks me about things her classmates are sporting. She is in a school with a uniform, so it is rarely Clothing - but it IS red nail polish ( a Not appropriate for You in our house) Or Big Hoop earrings or eyeshadow.<br /><br />She knows that her choices are for a pale pink,clear, glitter, blue, green or even coral nail polish...But not red. No dangle earrings. No makeup. Lip Balm? Sure. Gloss? Um, no. <br /><br />Terrance and I were talking last night and I pointed out that I, myself, am pretty low maintenance when it comes to makeup etc. It isn't that I am not attractive, but I don't "put on a show" every time I leave the house.<br /><br />In sum, I am not talking from both sides of my mouth to Emily. I am not telling her Not to portray herself in One way, and then Presenting myself in the way I am telling her is not acceptable.<br /><br />And this is where I find the "meat" of this idea - Where is the line between where we - as adult women - retain as a right to present ourselves...and what we want to enforce on/for our daughters?<br /><br />It seems to me that Mothers have to consider the image they present to the world simultaneously. And I am not suggesting that Mothers don't have the right to be attractive and even sexy - but I think there is a line there.<br /><br />I'm just not entirely sure how to explain it. I am very tired today and it has been a ridiculously LONG day, but I think it has to do with my conflicting ideas about the rights of women to portray themselves in any way they desire ( which I do hold this idea) - and the knowledge that the decision about their image that Adult women can handle is not the same for a child.<br /><br />And Now I am stopping because I have NO idea if that made sense at all.Dawnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12920042208198309201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15513876.post-66715369354282729602011-04-20T18:01:58.364-05:002011-04-20T18:01:58.364-05:00As the mother of a little girl (only 2 years old) ...As the mother of a little girl (only 2 years old) I wholeheartedly agree with you! I cannot believe some of the clothes out there. Even for my daughter's age - who wants their toddler to look like a sex worker?? I don't get it. I agree that it is our job to "hold the line". I wish more parents realized that they do retain this power. Though I imagine in just a few years my job will become much more difficult!Lauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15513876.post-59983168005283776792011-04-20T11:20:05.497-05:002011-04-20T11:20:05.497-05:00"Her job is to Ask. Our job is to hold the li..."Her job is to Ask. Our job is to hold the line." <br /><br />THIS!! Much to my chagrin I'm not a parent, but I know some and I've observed a whole many more, and this is the key. She's so lucky you know this. <br /><br />Last weekend I walked by padded bras in Kohls in the 'girls' section. I just about keeled over.RavenReadhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10592830421355224464noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15513876.post-67366827517749220802011-04-19T22:25:26.247-05:002011-04-19T22:25:26.247-05:00I had literally just closed the tab to the CNN art...I had literally just closed the tab to the CNN article you're referring to after reading it before reading this post. <br /><br />As always, I found a nugget of wisdom I hadn't considered before, and in this case it's the importance of explaining why not, rather than just saying no.<br /><br />We're expecting a girl and I have a slew of concerns on how to protect her from societal pressures--it's so different raising a boy.amirahttp://www.definemature.comnoreply@blogger.com