Lamenting the Death of Childhood

I agree with you this is a growing trend to have your children act like adults and have them become your best friend instead of your child. Let them be a child let them run around outside and not worry about "getting their dresses dirty" they are kids let them be kids.

Another great article. I think the way little girls dress these days is ridiculous.Don't even get me started on skirt/short lengths. I'm glad I have boys. But yeah, what happened to being a kid? My 12 year old cousin has a better cell phone than I do, its insane. People don't seem to care if they're kids play outside anymore, they don't make them get up and go out. Kids need to be kids, but they're parents don't seem to think agree. Maybe it's not "cool" to let/make kids be kids anymore.

I agree! My daughter came home and told me that she had a boyfriend... she's 4!!! I was like no mam! She stands in front of my mirror putting on her make up. I let her pretend but I am not letting her get makeup on. Her grandmother wanted to pierce her ears, I said No. When I got my ears pierced I was 12. I remember it and it was a rite of passage in my family, as was make up and boyfriends. Keep kids kids and let the grow up slow.

Yes these are all important things that have gotten way out of hand. I too see all of these things going on. It's hard not to notice when your child's friends all have better clothes, phones, nails, etc then you do. This makes it difficult when you are single with a girl because she wants to just fit in with the rest and you know it's wrong but you also don't want your child to go to school and the other kids make fun of her. I try to do the right things but sometimes I am at a loss as to what these other parents are really thinking!!

I liked this article. This is a growing trend these days. Just the other day I was talking to some friends about their kid's Christmas lists. One friend's five year old daughter asked for a cell phone. Who is she going to call? Of course, she isn't getting a real phone for Christmas, but the idea that she even thought to ask for one is crazy. I didn't talk on my house phone at five years old to friends. We played outside and at school. So many parents have that idea that they "want their child to have more than they did when they were younger", that they don't realize that some of these things take away from kids childhood.