Childhoods Becoming a Thing of the Past

What ever happened to the days of running around outside on a warm summer day without a care to the world? Whatever happened to playing with dolls? Playing dress up? Playing kickball with the neighborhood kids? Anything that symbolizes being a kid?  I loved my childhood. It's a freedom I will never have again but hope to see in my kids one day. These days parts of society are targeting kids as young as 7 or 8 years old to be teens or young adults. They are teaching our young that in order to be pretty you have to buy these certain things or look a certain way.

Wal-Mart currently released a cosmetic line aimed at the pre-tweens called GeoGirl. Yes, pre-tweens! For those that are unaware of that age group, they are about 8 years old. Not only are they cosmetics but it's claim is to help the reduction of aging? WTF?!?!?!? Seriously? They are 8 years old. Why do they need to worry about stuff like that? Yeah, I know it's great to start awareness at a young age to maintain what you have for your later years, but what the heck?! They are still growing and haven't even matured enough yet to worry about signs of aging. Dear goodness, what has this world become? This is not the worst of it.

How would you like your 7 or 8 year old running around in a bikini? Not really a problem to some people, right? Well, what if I told you these bikini's are like the ones adults wear? Minus the thong part, but it's not like they haven't crossed that line before, and with a padded top? Here, let me give you a better idea of what I am talking about.

This is a screen shot of Abercrombie and Fitch for kids Online

It's cute, right? But why would you want to put that on your child? A CHILD? Why do you want your 8 year old prancing around in a well padded skimpy bikini top at a public pool or beach? Are you trying to send her all the wrong signals? The world is crazy enough out there, why are you inviting it into your home?

For real people, if you don't see the damage this is doing to your child then I have little respect for you. I am sorry. Life is already hard enough with society telling people how we all should look. Why do you want to put that burden on an 8 year old? It's all in the parenting, right? Of course it is. I know it's up to the parents to teach their child from right and wrong, to instill values, etc. But how is teaching your child that physical beauty is where it's at any good? Things like this is what causes increase stress and anxiety in teens. Possibly increase suicides, increase depression. Why are we putting our children through this? Have we become that shallow of a community that we will even put out babies at risk? Parents, if you have a brains, please let your child be a child and leave the grown up stuff for us or at least when our children are more capable of making a good decision. The world is crazy enough as is, lets not add to it. These kids are our future.

I don't know about the rest of the world, but I know my childhood were some of the best years of my life. I cherish them.

Everything Happens for a Reason

I was originally going to make a post about "10 Things I Believe In" similar to what a blogger and friend of mine, The Princess and the Parolee, did but I got hung up on the first subject of what I believed in and wanted to continue talking about it. It's an American Proverb I feel strongly about- Everything happens for a reason. I know in many situations, it's the last thing you want to hear. It certainly doesn't help heal things at that time or any time later, but it is something to take into consideration some day.

I choose the oddest times to reflect on my life or others that are in my life whether it be when I am looking myself in the mirror putting makeup on or driving down the road. It's usually when I am at the most peace. The other day, I was getting ready for work, just doing my daily routine and I found my mind wandering, thinking, reflecting. I don't know why it came about but it did. I was thinking about my aunt. You see, she had a very, very turbulent relationship with a boyfriend of hers eons ago. It was abusive every way possible- verbal, physical, you name it and it went both ways. Either way, it was very unhealthy. My aunt finally over came the relationship, found peace and was given God's greatest gift, a child. Was the reckless relationship a test to prepare her of what was to come? Was it to teach her balance and prepare her for motherhood? I know, what a strange way to see if you are ready for a child, but she was a single parent a good bit of time and balancing her life and emotions to ensure her child a decent living was needed. She did well.

Shortly after, I found myself wandering again, but this time, I was thinking about my own life. When people ask me, "If you could go back in time, where would you go?" That is simple. I would go back to when I was born and start my life all over. It's not because I regret my life, it's because it would give me a chance to spend time with my parents all over again. I miss them greatly and spending time with them again is my only wish. Of course this leads to a point that "everything happens for a reason." I know God can't grant me my wish and it is certainly not my time yet, but I do believe he has given me an opportunity. I currently live with my boyfriend and his parents. Living with his parents is not by choice, it's just an in between thing for now since Cameron was given a decent job where they live. So, we up and left our apartment and moved into their house temporarily until we find our own. Even though I don't spend all my time with them since my work schedule is total opposite of theirs, I still have the moments when I can converse with them and just know they are there. The comfort of having parents in my life again.

When you sit back and reflect on your life, do you think that "yes, everything happens for a reason?" Do you believe that these "tests" in life are what makes you stronger and shape who you are? Even though the above examples are a couple of life reflections, I can sit back and think of many occurrence's in my life and decipher the reasoning behind them. Some of which I know the answer to, some of which I may never know and leave me wondering. What I do know is, these moments, tests, lessons, that I am sure of, I learn from and they stay with me. I will admit that sometimes I make the same mistake over, but what can I say, I am only human.

Although I am not sure I truly believe "everything" happens for a reason since it does leave little to no room for chance. I do believe there is room for both in everyones life because "Anything is Possible."