Preserving Childhood

Photo courtesy of my amazing brother, Paul Emerson

A study came out this week indicating that girls are entering puberty earlier than ever before. 10-23 percent (depending on race) develop as early as 7 years old.  SEVEN.  How incredibly shocking - and sad - is that?

It's no surprise to me that this is occurring; most parents regularly feed their children non-organic meat and dairy produced by factory-farmed animals that have been jacked up with hormones.  Add to that the gobs of estrogen-mimicking processed GMO soy that is in everything... our childrens' bodies are simply one big toxic mess.

It seems to me, though, that the early puberty phenomena is also a physical manifestation of our society's desperate drive to make our children grow up, and be independent, earlier and earlier.  Babies are expected to sleep in cribs, on their own, all night, so as to train them to be independent.   Little boys are chided not to cry, to be tough, when they feel sad or are hurt.   Young girls are dressed in sweatpants with the word "Juicy" on the butt and are proud to sport their mani pedis.  Children - in many cases - have a mere 18 months at home with a parent before they are placed in pre-school to get them "ready" for school.  Our school system's main focus? To teach children more and more, younger and younger, so that they can succeed later in life.

Why does our society have such little tolerance for childhood?? What the hell is the hurry?

I, for one, am doing everything I possibly can to protect and preserve my girls' childhoods.  I know that they literally have (and should have!) 11, maybe 12 years of real childhood before puberty kicks in.   And I want them to enjoy every last minute of those short years.  I want them to be free to be silly and crazy.  I want them never to doubt how amazing they are.  I want them to be ignorant of trends and fads.  I want them to learn and grow at their own pace.

Here is what I do, and have done, to preserve and protect their childhoods:

1)  No Disney princess anything and no old Disney movies.  Period.   My children don't need to be waiting til their prince will come, and dressed all sweetly in ball gowns and crowns to make that happen.  Blech.

2.  I homeschool.  My girls are exposed to our values which encourage them and support their self esteems.  They are friends with children whose parents share the same value systems as I hold dear.  They learn at their own pace, in their own way.  

3.  I tell them, frequently, that childhood is short, and amazing, and they need to enjoy every minute of it.  This typically comes up when they comment on another girl wearing nail polish, or make up, or Disney princess outfits.

4.  We avoid commercialized merchandise.  They aren't permitted to wear or use anything that is tied to something on television or in the movies.  

5.   Similarly, I only buy for them clothing that is age appropriate.  My girls will never wear Juicy couture.  They do not wear clothing that is low cut, or half cut, or sexualized in any way (this includes bikini style bathing suits).

6.  We allow media in the home, but we are selective as to what they watch.   PBS and the Disney Channel (in the AM) are allowed as they have quality content and feature little to no commercials for crappy "food" and crappy plastic toys made in China.  We expose them to classic and wholesome movies like The Sound of Music and Annie and Alice in Wonderland.

7.  No nail polish, no make up, even for fun.  I make it clear that those things are for bigger girls.  I, myself, rarely wear either - so there is little focus on these things in the house.

8.  And, to minimize their risk of early-onset puberty, our family eats a high quality, nutritious, organic, vegetarian diet.

The results of my efforts? My oldest girl is nearly 7, and my youngest is 4.   They are healthy (rarely rarely sick) and happy, with strong self-esteems.  They have active imaginations and play for hours with dolls and blocks and pretend kitchen toys.  They aren't afraid to be silly, or loud.  They love the outdoors.  They wear dresses and flowers in their hair, embracing their feminine in a wholesome way.  They never compare themselves to other children - to what other children have or do.  They have excellent manners.  They don't judge other people; they're colorblind.  They take people as they are.  They pursue their passions and have no knowledge of any limitation.

Are they sheltered? Hell yes.  And you know what, I'm okay with that.  I am a mommy police officer fighting the crime against childhood - it's my job to preserve and protect their minds, bodies, spirits and souls.  So far, I'm winning, and I'm damn proud.