Lisa Bloom’s How To Talk To Little Girls

Howard Girls

I tell my little girl probably 20 times a day that she is pretty or cute or beautiful or a princess…   I feel like it is sweet and bonding and confidence building.   I mean she loves shoes and necklaces and everything sparkly.  And when she puts on Mom’s shoes and jewelry I tell her it is pretty.  I feel a little different about it after reading, How to Talk to Little Girls.

Lisa Bloom’s Main Point:

Teaching girls that their appearance is the first thing you notice tells them that looks are more important than anything. It sets them up for dieting at age 5 and foundation at age 11 and boob jobs at 17 and Botox at 23. As our cultural imperative for girls to be hot 24/7 has become the new normal, American women have become increasingly unhappy. What’s missing? A life of
meaning, a life of ideas and reading books and being valued for our thoughts and accomplishments.

Yes Yes Yes.  I agree totally.  So I have tried to take Lisa Bloom’s advice and tell my daughter and all the little girls we interact with other things that make them special.  But it is REALLY HARD not to just tell a little girl how adorable she is. What do you think?

Toddlers In Tiaras – Takes It Too Far

So I still had mixed feeling about it.  I still think it is ok to tell your girls how beautiful they are.  I mean it is just so hard to resist.  It could still be sweet.  But then I watched an episode of Toddlers in Tiaras.  I was absolutely appalled.  These toddlers are getting waxed and shaved and tanned and done up and being undermined during all of it.  These girls think that their worth is based on their looks and winning.  It brought tears to my eyes.  I felt so bad for these innocent precious little girls.  I mean these moms spend like tens of thousands of dollars on their outfits and hair dos.  CRAZY.  It is awful.

So now I have a new determination to not put focus on looks.  I want my daughter to know she is special because she is kind and good and happy and smart and she can do anything she works hard at.  And remember to let her know these things by spending time with her and caring for her, not just by telling her.