JUST LET HER BE A KID - RANT

I am sick of everyone under the sun marketing to my kid. I am sick of hoochey-mama fashions for little girls. I am sick of McDonald's "sponsorship" ads on PBS. I am sick of anti-feminist crap everywhere. Feminism isn't radical. It's about equality. So please let my three-year-old be a kid for a little while longer.

I hate it when people call a little girl's male friend her "boyfriend." It may sound sweet, but at 3 or 4 or even 10, do they really need to be pushed into relationships (even pretend ones)? I have The Girl call her friends her "buddy" or her friend, regardless of gender. It's not that tough people. I just want kids to be kids, without having to think of the drama of boyfriends and girlfriends that comes in middle school or earlier these days.

And the clothes! Attention clothing manufacturers and department store buyers: my child is not a whore. She is also not a teenager. We still shop in the toddler section, yet I see whore/teenage/hoochey clothes for 3-year-olds. What the fuck? Stop it. I like solid t-shirts and patterned pants for The Girl. Polo shirts are nice too. A sassy top with matching leggings, maybe. Please make more. Stop with the rhinestone-encrusted hussy wear. What's wrong with stripes or plaid?

Moving right along to TV: The Girl watches TV. I usually let her watch programs that I have Tivo'd for her, including Sesame Street and Curious George on PBS, Charlie & Lola on the Disney Channel, as well as Lazy Town and Wonder Pets on Nick Jr. I always start the programs by forwarding through the commercials or "sponsorship" messages. She doesn't need to see Ronald jump around with a bunch of kids or see how wonderful some homebuilder is because they promote reading. Of course, she doesn't need to see TV either, but I need a break, so she gets it. I don't always hear the end of the show so she'll watch the commercials. When she sees the flying Barbie crap or Floam or Kidz Bop4, she sits entranced. Ugh. There is a dog food commercial that features puppies. She can recite every word. Double ugh. She's three for goodness sake and she already knows brands and logos. I hate marketing. And I worked in the field for 15+ years!

I was reading Sweetney 's post about the horrid Bratz DVD and then jumped to an article about how Hasbro wanted to produce dolls based on the Pussycat Dolls singing group. I was thrilled to find out it was a coalition of professionals, advocacy groups and parents who thwarted Hasbro's attempt to sexualize our kids' childhood - Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood. Go to their site, read up, sign up and help stop this horrible trend. Or at least make sure the next time you see something that you think is objectionable, speak up - write about it on your blog, complain to your friends/neighbors, or send an email to the manufacturer.

It doesn't have to be like this. I just want The Girl to be a little girl for as long as possible. Is that too much to ask?