I took my darling daughters to swimming lessons this morning. As we entered the change room there stood an approximately 11 year old girl standing beside the hand dryer. She was completely naked with the exception of her bright pink flip flops. She had this hand dryer turned up and on pointed at her head, brush in hand, casually brushing and drying her shoulder length blonde hair. She methodically brushed her hair and watched all the other Moms and daughters come in and out of the change rooms. All those other little girls used the curtained changing areas, clearly provided for privacy. I averted my eyes.
Blonde girls mother sat in the corner, a look of complete disinterest on her face.
I found her daughters lack of modesty shocking. Her Mothers lack of awareness of the gawking crowd…disturbing.
In this day and age when children are snatched on a daily basis, where pedophiles have their own data bases, should 11 year old girls be naked..even in a change room?
My Mommy instinct screams out no! I encourage my daughters to cover up. Take advantage of provided change rooms. I encourage modesty.
They may not know it yet, but this is partly to protect them.
I have gone beyond don’t talk to strangers, I am trying to instill street sense, a healthy sense of danger and a knowledge of predators. I hope I have not sacrificed their childhood innocence. As the saying goes “Better Safe then Sorry”.
So, have I gone to far? Am I too overprotective? Is there even such a thing anymore. Because I have to tell you what I really wanted to do was give Blonde Girls uninterested Mom a shake, and hand that girl a towel.
I would really wonder about that child’s upbringing. I do not think it normal for any 11 year old do that.
I think we pretty much all agree. A strong self image is very important, sadly so is personal safety. I’m not sure what the cut-off line is where little one’s should know to cover up…but I’m sure it is before 11.
I would have been equally shocked to have seen a boy behaving in the same manner.
It wasn’t just that this little blonde girl was standing there in nothing but her flip flops, but that she seemed to have NO awareness of self. She was giving every person who walked into the change room a full frontal. I had to look around the change room to spot her mother hidden away in the corner.
I hope someone is looking out for her…
This might be a good opportunity for you to ASK your daughter what SHE thought about it….that should open up a discussion about HER thoughts about that girl. Could be very eye opening!
Our girl’s will fair much better in life when they FIRST value their own bodies. Modesty does NOT equal shame. Good for you!!
No way are you being overprotective! My girls are 2 and 4 and I have already taught them about modesty and privacy. Hearing my little one yell “Private parts” when naked is hilarious, but hopefully she ‘gets’ it…
that mom needed a smack.
I’m with you. It may have been fine once, but I’d feel very uncomfortable with it,even when I was here age.
I’m going to be mulling this one over for a while. I’m torn. Because my instinct for myself is to hide everything at all costs. But I feel sad for little girls that there is one more reason for them to have to grow up with another confusing message about self image. I’ll ask this- boys are also at risk, but would you have been as disturbed to see a naked boy standing there?
MM, I am totally with you. There is something very messed up about that. If you lived in Vegas, I’d say she’s a stripper in training. I would find that very disturbing.
I think it’s creepy. I celebrate the beauty of all human bodies, but there is a lesson in modesty these folks missed.
I’m with you on this one.
WOW…and I side with you. I think teaching kids modesty is critical more now than ever.
Yes, that was a bit disturbing to read. The mom should be slapped silly. I agree with Tammi. Perpahs her parents were hippies like Shia Lebouf’s parents. They look normal these days.
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