Buying clothes for your little girl can be tricking; find out how to dress your child discently.
Low cut, revealing shirts, silk-slinky body hugging dresses, modified thong style swimsuits, high heeled sandals, feather trimmed sheer lingerie. Is this Victoria's Secret or Frederick's Of Hollywood? No, it is your local store's little girls' wear department.
What does this say to our children, our daughters and granddaughters in whom we are trying to instill a sense of moral and/or self value? How do you work around this? What are the alternatives and how do you discourage this style of dress in a little girl when it is everywhere?
It is a tough call.
The store displays and choices of fashions speak volumes to these little eyes, minds and hearts that are reaching on tippy-toe for that next developmental stage. They want to "play" grown-up. But the stores are not playing. They are dead serious about making your child grow-up in style, long before their little bodies have even begun to change.
One alternative is Specialty Shops, where children's wear still holds a sense of innocence and functionality.
Another is to become, "Molly Homemaker," with a hand sewn wardrobe that will reflect the style and values appropriate for your little girl.
But, specialty shops are expensive and not everyone's budget allows for this.
Sewing is not a skill all women have or aspire to.
Perhaps you know someone who already makes her children's clothes. Why not strike up a deal with her, that is to both your benefits.
Check out Children's Consignment Shops where clothing is usually brand name, classic in style, and in excellent condition for less than half the price. (Visit these for season's end sales and save even more.)
Put your foot down with your local department store and write a letter of complaint to them, email them, start a petition against such fare.
And most important. Do what I do. Just say "NO," to allowing your little one to dress years beyond her age.
This is not to say that a young girl should be covered from neck to ankle. Not at all.
It is, to send the message that you are in favor of your "kid" staying a kid for the duration of her young years.
She will grow-up soon enough and at liberty to choose her style of dress, but at least you have afforded her a solid example of self respect along the way.
Seeing these fashions on little ones only brings to mind one question..."Are you playing dress-up and who are you supposed to be?"
If you want to satisfy that need within all girl's to "play" at being all grown-up, then perhaps a little imagination will help.
Try this on for size:
Put on a little show with your child and her friends allowing them to dress in the most outlandish outfits, high heels and all. Have them lip-sync to their favorite tunes or show tunes and get the most out of "pretending."
This not only satisfies the need to be all grown up, but also maintains authority in your decisions to maintain certain values in everyday dress.
You see, all they really want is a "taste" of this experience, not a lifestyle change.
After all, it is their imaginations that we need to nourish at these ages, not the fashion world's idea of "style."
