Are kids growing up faster these days?

[DCJenn]

Honestly, I don't know. I can totally see Tara's point. and then I go to Target and see these Baby Ho outfits and I'm glad I'm buying rugby shirts and jeans instead of negotiating the girls clothing section.

Technology isn't going to go away so we all need to wrap our head around that fact. How do you raise a tech savvy kid who doesn't end up wierd?

and I rode my bike every where. unsupervised. Meanwhile, this Halloween in the fattest city in Texas, parents were DRIVING their kids from house to house. I'm all for keeping an eye on your kiddos but come on- get out of the car!

We limit (seriously limit) the amount of TV, we have let him play a few computer games on SesameStreet.com and that's about it. I don't want him to not know how to negotiate a computer but at the same time, homework will be done in a central location, too. and I have no plans for a TV, telephone or anything else potentially isolating in his room. Sorry, I didn't travel all the way to Russia to have him hibernate. We also promised ourselves that we will never do the DVD in the car thing. I know that others here have used them to their advantage especially during moves. But- he's ONE KID. Sorry, he'll have to make conversation with his parents. (man, he's going to totally resent the crap out of us. Oh well.)

I think there is more pressure on the girls- maybe there always has been. I mean trucks and trains will always be trucks and trains. Baby dolls morph into Bratz which morph in to Barbies, etc. You parents of girls have my pity. I can't even fathom.

Jenn

Honestly, I don't know. I can totally see Tara's point. and then I go to Target and see these Baby Ho outfits and I'm glad I'm buying rugby shirts and jeans instead of negotiating the girls clothing section.

I know! Aren't those awful? But -- just don't buy them! Someone must be. But none of the kids in my daughter's classroom dress like that. I can see why things like that are concerning. I'm just too stubborn to give in with the reaction those articles and stories are trying to solicit.

[DCJenn]

Oh- My first "boyfriend" was in 8th grade and he tried to touch my butt and I hit him. and he kissed me and it was the most horrible thing. Like kissing a soaking wet sponge as I recall.

My first 'real kiss' was the summer before 10th grade and whoo-boy. but then he decided to get all fresh and I had to hit him, too.

and my first serious boyfriend and you know...the One- at the end of 10th grade. In retrospect? I was clueless. At the time I thought I was Very Mature. I really didn't seriously date again until the end of high school. I went to Homecoming with a guy who as it turned out had dated another guy that I also kind of dated.

So, yes, the heady "Aids is for gay guys" days of the early 80's was no innocent time.

Jenn