where has the innocence childhood gone??

Question

is it just me but has anyone noticed how children nowadays grow up so fast? i mean this girl who is 9 had her hair coloured wears grown up outfits has a laptop etc when i was that age i was running about with muck on me lol and whats scary is now children younger than 10 are complaining about there weight, i have a baby girl and im scared shes not going to have a fun childhood as she might be constantly worrying about her apperance anyone else noticed this??

Answer 1

I agree, but don't worry about your little girl. The reason for kids like that is that thier parents don't let them be kids and play in the mud like we did, and it sounds like she'll turn out just fine with a mom like you!

Answer 2

I completely agree with you. The times have changed! I'm only 19 and i can see how times have changed since I was a little kid. I was never off of my bicycle, I watched cartoons before church (my parents actually made me go to church and pay attention and not sit there and whine the whole time like kids do now!!) and that was pretty much the only TV I got and didn't learn how to use a comp. until it was time for real homework (like writing paper and stuff rather than just doing those worksheets!) Now all the kids I see are on cell phones and chatting online and its just sad to me!! It is up to you to show your girl the real fun of being a kid. Don't let her get caught up in the stupid world of technology! Let her run around out side and ride a bike and make mud pies. I also think what makes kids this way is there parents everyone is so scared of everything now (I guess there is reason to with all the weirdos out there) But let her be a kid for as long as your kid wants!! I think the appearance thing wont be a big deal if you keep your girl away from the magazines and all that nonsense as a little kid and always teach her beauty is on the inside not the out! Girls get like this because of everything they have to compare themselves with (the celebs)

Answer 3

This is not a "childhood" problem, this is a parent problem.

Parents should be parents and not best friends to their children. Raise the kid with love and acceptance and they will grow up with love and acceptance in their lives.

Don't plop them in front of the TV for hours - turn it off and send them outside to play. If you live in an area that you consider dangerous - go outside with them...sit on the stoop and keep an eye on them.

Encourage them to read. Insist on good grades in school - help them with their homework if they need it - but don't do it for them. Be there when they need to talk and keep the communication avenue wide open.

Don't be judgemental. It is possible to parent without criticizing.

Tell them from the time they are infants that they are a wonder in the world; that there is no one in the world you love more than him or her....then follow up with actions.

A child who has been raised by loving and attentive parents who have rules - and enforce them with love; who know where their children are and who they are with - and what they are doing - ALL the time, will turn into a self-confident and mature adult.

A parent who is always harping about weight, looks, what the neighbors have - or moaning about money raise children who are insecure, fretful and disatisfied.

Parents who allow their children to dye their hair, pierce their body parts, get tattoos, wear inappropriate clothing, listen to crappy music and generally let them have their own way before the child is mature are doing them a great disservice.

For your little girl, love her mightily, say "no" often and mean it, raise her with a good sense of "self", compliment her frequently, check out who she hangs around with and keep an eye on her. You won't have any problems.

Answer 4

You think its bad now 100 years ago, and even today in some cultures, girls are married by 12 or 13....anyways, its not because of the children, it the adults....children only know what we teach them....so if we are hung up on things, then so to will they be.....The nine year old with colored hair did not do that by herself....she had help and got that idea to do it from somewhere....most likly from mom or a show mom watches.

Answer 5

Don't worry it is largely parenting. My daughter is not allowed to dress like a ho, not allowed to play with skanky toys (hello bratz dolls) and not allowed to sing inappropriate songs even if they are on the radio. Oh and we don't have t.v.

When she gets older-no cell phone.

And the poster who thinks denying you children the stuff everyone else has will ruin their life is insane. Denying your children things they don't need prevents them from becoming spoiled brats. Allowing them to become spoiled brats ruins their life when they get to the real world and have to deal!

My daughter is sweet, well behaved and creative. She doesn't have the gimmees when we go to a store. She understands that real woman do not dress like tramps. She would rather play outside or color then watch television even when at peoples houses that have t.v. And she's kind to everyone regardless of whether they have the latest cool stuff or not.

I'm not saying that people who have t.v. or buy their kids cell phones are wrong but the point is moderation and setting a good example.

Answer 6

A child of 9 can not go out and colour her hair, buy a laptop etc but her parents can. This is just bad parenting end of story, so many around. Your daughter will be fine as long as you remember you are the adult and not her.

Answer 7

look, we can all talk about how times have changed and how children are not innocent anymore. but these are facts, that cannot be changed. if you deny your daughter things that in society she is expected to have (mobile phone, tv, hair dye etc) this will make her more unhappy. she will just want to fit in with her friends. im not saying children these days are happier, or better, because i find it sad as well, that children as young as nine have to dye their hair to be happy. but these are facts that ignoring or trying to change will only make relationships worse. sorry if this doesnt make sense, just trying to express some feelings about modern day society.
sorry. xx

Answer 8

Im all for sex education from a young age say 5 like in holland where teen pregnancies are soooo virtually non existant and the kids grow up all balanced with no embarrasment discussing any aspects of sex whatever their age.

And so the kids understand adults and teen behavour to an extent... more in terms of feelings.


This does not mean the kids should be acting like adults as they are not... like the poster said... should still be playing in much, climbing trees, think the opposite sex has coodies.


Much of it is a competative society where they see older teen girls using sexaulity as power to get what they want only the kids dont get what its about.

The kids should not worry about appearance.


More think about sex in terms of how much fun it is to be a brat and tease and balckmail older sibling by acting as goosberry when older siblings and boy/girl friends want to make out.


for sweet money, get them to do washing up etc.


But be upset when older siblings realtioship breaks up.

But still be aware they are kids into kid stuff

Answer 9

i agree my daughter is 5 and i still love to dress her like a little girl,i took my son to a party a couple of months ago hes 10 and some of the girls who were the same age looked like little women it was disgusting loads of make up short skirts high heel shoes and i thought just what you are thinking its not nice its tacky or even tarty so i agree keep them looking like kids for as long as we can they wont be for that long.

Answer 10

Tell me about it - my mum who is a primary school teacher had to write a letter to all her girls mum's as they were wearing thongs to school and doing handstands! I can't belive they sell thongs for children. When I have kiddies they are still gonna run around in Marks and Spencers pinnafores! It scares me too!!