Milly
December 23, 2011, 3:10pm
23
Re: Pamper parties
i’d not have issues if “pamper” meant actual age-appropriate pampering. what worries me is the use of pedicures/manicures/facials etc as special occasion rewards opening up doorways to gender stereotyping peer pressure, the ugly world of beauty products and brand names, mental blocks towards certain useful activities, sports and even subjects, aversion towards being tough, picking friends based on looks/outfits etc. it is bad enough with the media’s gender biases blasted at us everywhere.
i do feel girls can naturally be girly girls or tomboys, and that it isn’t fair to impose restrictions on what form of play they prefer to indulge in. but i also think it is unfair to encourage them into this sort of “mimicking grownups” fun. it does not strike me as the same thing as being a girly girl, imho. and i dont see how it is at par with a bouncy castle or a petting zoo. a child’s curiosity and memory are powerful things, i’d want them directed at positive influences as much as i can control it, which might not be all that long.
maybe i’m over-thinking it. and like someone said one pamper party wouldnt have any lasting impact. i’d only be comfortable sending her if she’s well exposed to the joys of bugs, dirt, chasing after balls, rainwater puddles etc. lipstick shmipstick.. that is not what childhood’s happiest moments should be about. definitely not at the age of 5. you are gonna lose your kid to this world anyway once she’s a bit older.
(this stuff bugs me tons, i didnt mean to offend anyone)
THIS!!!
Also, will no boys be invited to the party? I would save this type of stuff (sounds like a sleepover/jimjam party to me) for when she is older. Five year old children should be allowed to be carefree and use their imaginations not think about their hair and make up.
Not really related, but it makes you think about why stores such as A&F bring out bikinis for 6 year olds, cos some parents embrace it.