Are we ruining our daughters??

Today I have enjoyed a pretty good day off. My day started with my father (a.k.a. my boss/owner of the company that employs me) calling and waking me up with computer problems. Tech support is part of my job (makes sense, most interior decorators are GREAT with computers, right?!?!). Sadly, I am the most computer savvy person at our firm, so computer problems go to me. Fortunately, my uncle Phillip (known to you ninetyandniners as Southampton) is a real, live computer expert, so I called him. After an hour and a half of phone tag between him and my father (why there wasn't direct contact betweeen them so that I could sleep, I don't know), the problem was resolved.

I then settled into the exciting task of doing ninety-zillion loads of laundry and cleaning the house. Our last house guests of the holiday season left yesterday. The left behind not-so-glad tidings of dirty towels and dishes. Anyway, I've had the TV on for distraction/entertainment. Sweet Olivia is way more interested in the hoards of toys she received last week than hanging out with me, so the noise from the TV has been welcome. I was pleased to see that one of my favorite "reality" shows was on-"What Not to Wear". In fact, it's a marathon. Well, I was pretty psyched until my daughter started really taking interest in what was going on. It made my mommy senses tingle that maybe I was giving her the wrong message. I mean we spend all this time telling our children that they are perfect the way they are and that they shouldn't judge others on appearance, but then I spend an afternoon watching two fashionistas berate some dumpy housewife for wearing sweats to the Pic & Pay.

Now, I really don't usually get caught up in stuff like this, I grew up playing with Barbie and I didn't think that I should be a size -2 with completely unreal proportions. But, it seems like things have gotten so much harder for girls today. Have you seen those Bratz dolls? Seriously, why the toy industry designed a doll that looked like an adolescent prostitute is beyond me. What is also beyond me is how many girls from good, Christian families I see playing with them. Not that I think it's a sin or anything, but doesn't that just send the wrong message to girls? It's like we are saying "Now honey, you are perfect just the way you are, and I want to to dress modestly and glorify Christ. Oh, and by the way, I bought you a doll that looks like a $5 street walker." I know that's a bit of an exaggeration, but it's close. You may be wondering what kind of toys my child has? Am I being a hypocrite? Well, probably a little. She does have Barbies and Polly Pocket, though we do censor the ones she receives. No belly shirts, extreme make-up or tattoos for her Barbies (that's just a good formula to follow for most anything). Bratz do intrigue her, but she is pretty satisfied with the answer "No they're tacky" when she asks for one. I guess I probably shouldn't post this because I seem like I am passing judgement on parents who let their kids play with them. Please understand, I'm not. My child plays with a lot of things that would probably make some eyebrows raise in the Apostolic community, I just feel passionately about these Bratz. I would love to hear feedback from other parents. Maybe I've been too judgemental about them without researching their background. Maybe all the proceeds from their sales support Focus on the Family and no one told me. Anyway, let me know your feelings, I've been dying to ask someone is person, but I've been too chicken. No one likes their parenting technique questioned. Oh well, that's enough of a rant for now. If you don't know what a Bratz doll is, go to www.mattel.com. I think you will be surprised.

Questions, comments, concerns? Please feel free to E-mail me!