Recently, I went away on a business trip and while staying in the hotel, I got a good look in the full length mirror at the state my body is in. I wasn’t aware that getting dressed on the run, forgetting my hair and make-up, or the sloppy mom clothes I have been wearing had conveniently shielded the truth behind the body I now have. My pregnancies and caesarian sections have made my stomach look a little like Mrs. Clause’s, and the late night meals after the kids have gone to bed (in addition to snacks on the run) have resulted in a figure I’m not that proud of.

I admit it has been a slippery slope, one I have had tried to ignore, blaming shrinking garments in the wash or that it must be about that time of the month. With kids to care for, no real time for myself and a husband who doesn’t chase me around the bed like he used to, I have let my fabulous get a little bit flabby.

No longer willing or wanting to see what I do in the mirror, I have decided it is time to take serious action. One cannot do everything all by themselves and support and encouragement is definitely needed. In fact, my years working on movie sets have educated me to know that few woman are born looking like celebrities, they have to work at it every day. That means getting out and exercising…

Thanks to the gals at Fitness Boot Camp, I am about to embark on a new fitness routine designed specifically for women, by women. Their program promotes super-slimming body-sculpting that can get you bikini ready in as little as two nights a week, using their eight week program. They have testimonials of others who have done just that and success stories of those committed and what they have achieved. Yet what I was most impressed by was their unique approach and commitment to getting you the success you want. Designed differently than other boot camps, they are woman only, which means you can come and sweat, wear no make-up, and be yourself.

Designed for women, which means the exercises target a woman’s trouble spots from head to toe (booty, tummy, etc.)

Full nutritional support, which means you can follow a sound nutritional plan consistently, and are more likely to achieve almost any fitness goal.

Regular fitness assessments, which means you’ll know where you are, how much progress you’ve made, and when you’ve achieved your goal.

Start and end at the same time, which means you’ll be starting at the exact same time as other women, and they may be striving for similar fitness goals as you are.

Every Booty Camp Includes: Weekly Booty Camp Fitness Sessions, Physical Fitness Assessments, new At-Home Workout DVD with Three Kick Booty Resistance Training Programs, Revised physical copy of “The Ultimate Girls’ Guide to a Healthy & Sexy Booty”, “Eating Right Made Simple”, a healthy e-cookbook contains over 100 nutritious and delicious recipes; Full 60 Day “Recipe of the Day” Nutritional E-Guidance, Booty Camp Forum, and24/7 online support, diet advice, and an amazing online community.

They are so committed to their program, they are offering 10 spots for Soapbox readers to participate and attend their 4 week program - at any location in British Columbia or Alberta - completely complementary. (Sorry those of you who live elsewhere!). Just comment below (or email us) and leave your e-mail address and 10 lucky winners will randomly be selected. Please sign up only if you are 100% willing, and able to begin this program in the next week as spring classes are gearing up now. Soapboxmama and Fitness Boot Camp will contact you to let you know how and when to attend. You can visit their site for more information and check out their locations all across Canada. This is a great opportunity for those of you who want to improve your body image.

Starting next week, I will keep you informed of my progress, participation and experience. As I undergo this transformation back to the body I once knew I will fill you in on the process and the results. Fitness Boot Camp, here come the Sopaboxmama’s.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB

Leave it to the Canadians to think of something as great as this. Wear pink today in support of anti-bullying. Show your spirit in the color of pink to say that bullying is not okay. With the idea inspired by two teens whose classmate was bullied for wearing pink, this is a great idea that just keeps getting better and better.

To find out more, check out www.pinkshirtday.ca and see what is all being done…

Standing on my Soapbox,

JB

You know you are a mom when you no longer go shopping, have brunch or linger over coffee with your friends on the weekend; but attend a children’s concert with hundreds of kids. You sit on the floor, sing along with all the songs, make silly faces, and think nothing of it when a child you don’t even know sits on your lap to take a break from the dancing. With all inhibition gone, you clap endlessly, sing merrily and boogie exaggeratedly. And just when you think it is over, you end up exchanging numbers with a complete stranger because your child has made a new friend and wants to arrange a time to get together and play.

Standing on my Soapbox,

A friend sent this to me and I just had to share…It’s been said that God first separated the salt water from the fresh, made dry land, planted a garden, made animals and fish - all before making a human. He made and provided what we’d need before we were born and left great clues as to what foods help what part of our body.

With flu and cold season all around us, it’s really important to keep you and your family healthy and eating well. These are best & more powerful when eaten raw.

A sliced Carrot looks like the human eye. The pupil, iris and radiating lines look just like the human eye…and YES, science now shows carrots greatly enhance blood flow to and function of the eyes.


A Tomato has four chambers and is red. The heart has four chambers and is red. Research shows tomatoes are loaded with lycopine and are indeed pure heart and blood food.

Grapes hang in a cluster that has the shape of the heart. Each grape looks like a blood cell and all of the research today shows grapes are also profound heart and blood vitalizing food.


A Walnut looks like a little brain, a left and right hemisphere, upper cerebrums and lower cerebellums. Even the wrinkles or folds on the nut are just like the neo-cortex. We now know walnuts help develop more than three dozen neuron-transmitters for brain function.


Kidney Beans actually heal and help maintain kidney function and yes, they look exactly like the human kidneys.


Celery, Bok Choy, Rhubarb and many more look just like bones. These foods specifically target bone strength. Bones are 23% sodium and these foods are 23% sodium. If you don’t have enough sodium in your diet, the body pulls it from the bones, thus making them weak. These foods replenish the skeletal needs of the body.

Avocadoes, Eggplant and Pears target the health and function of the womb and cervix of the female - they look just like these organs. Today’s research shows that when a woman eats one avocado a week, it balances hormones, sheds unwanted birth weight, and prevents cervical cancers. And how profound is this? It takes exactly nine months to grow an avocado from blossom to ripened fruit. There are over 14,000 photolytic chemical constituents of nutrition in each one of these foods (modern science has only studied and named about 141 of them).

Figs are full of seeds and hang in twos when they grow. Figs increase the mobility of male sperm and increase the numbers of Sperm as well to overcome male sterility.

Sweet Potatoes look like the pancreas and actually balance the glycemic index of diabetics.


Olives assist the health and function of the ovaries.

Oranges, Grapefruits, and other Citrus fruits look just like the mammary glands of the female and actually assist the health of the breasts and the movement of lymph in and out of the breasts.


Onions look like the body’s cells. Today’s research shows onions help clear waste materials from all of the body cells. They even produce tears which wash the epithelial layers of the eyes. A working companion, Garlic, also helps eliminate waste materials and dangerous free radicals from the body.


Enjoy and eat well.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB

Last year, five of my friends, including myself, were all pregnant. It was the first baby for all of them, but I was on my second. The days of their disinterest as I rambled on about the greatest children’s products were now ignited by their own fervour and zest for the latest baby merchandise. I had to smirk as they discussed which video monitor was essential or how the trendy fifteen hundred dollar stroller was about to go on sale. All too often I was read reviews, taken to stores, shown a new gadget or asked to help rationalize an overpriced high chair or bedding more expensive then my own.

If you have kids, I am sure you have spent too much on an adorable outfit, overpaid for a gizmo that claims to do more than it does and shelled out far too much for an unnecessary item. We all do it and it’s what the booming baby business expects from new parents who are unsure about what is needed and what is superfluous. Sifting through the barrage of catalogues, designer children boutiques and of course advice from your own mother may not be as easy as it seems. There are so many other things to think about as the baby is about to arrive. Streamlining it down to the essentials can be difficult!

The Top Ten Things you need to have when you bring baby home:

1) Nothing is scarier than the first time you drive with baby in the car. All those days of speeding and hogging the road are over. In one day you change from speed demon to slow poke. Transporting the little one is the first thing you do when leaving the hospital, so having the right car seat is something you have to think about beforehand. I like the Britax Marathon, suitable for 5lbs to 65 lbs. This car seat easily goes from infant to full grown toddler. My son, now three, had a different car seat until he could reach over and undo the shoulder belt that most car seats graduate to. The Britax’s five-point harness keeps him secure and assures me that he is properly strapped in. Consider it one of your higher priced items, but worth it as it will be used for three to four years.

2) As you enjoy every waking moment with your new baby, you will eventually need to get your rest. Putting baby down in their own crib is often difficult. A popular shower gift is often a Moses basket or bassinette–cute, but baby grows out of them very quickly. I love the Arms Reach Co-Sleeper. I bought it twice, once for my son that ended up going to Granma’s house, and then again for my new daughter. Built bigger than a bassinet, its ingenious design fits next to your bed, at the same height with only three sides. This enables close contact and the ability to see baby as you rest while safely giving baby the area they need. Perfect for night time breast feeding, it also converts into an amazing playpen and travels superbly in its own carrying case.

3) Establishing the rhythm of nursing often takes time as mom and baby get to know one another. Many hours are spent breast feeding and nothing makes it more difficult than not having the right position or proper angle. The YOU Pillow was designed and made by moms who understand the importance of comfort and proper posture while feeding their little ones. I tried propping a regular pillow under my arms, but it only made it more difficult for baby, and caused neck and shoulder pain for me. The YOU Pillow maintains the unique u-shape needed for breastfeeding while contouring to the body to ensure optimum support for both baby and mom. It has a supreme softness and heavenly feel that both you and baby will love. Made from 100% cotton and available with either a 100% hypo-allergenic polyester fibre or micro-polystyrene bead, this is a hand-made product is made right here in Vancouver.

4) Call me crazy, but the next thing on your list is the Tefal® Ultra-Compact Steamer, a double-decked vegetable steamer priced much less than those chic bottle steamers. With two racks, it easily fits all bottles. Since steam is created at a much higher temperature than boiling water, this is the perfect way to clean and sanitize. Teething rings, soothers, spoons and anything else that end up in baby’s mouth needs just a few minutes in the steamer and it is ready to go. No more pots of boiling water, or melted toys in the dishwasher. You will love this inexpensive way to disinfect that can eventually be used to cook all of baby’s first food to perfection. Can’t get that from a bottle streamer!

5) Knowing the importance of keeping baby close and the value of being hands-free, I have to give Ergo Baby Carrier my highest rating and utmost appreciation. Having tried other slings, harnesses, and pouches, I like its ergonomic design that supports a correct sitting position for the baby’s hip, pelvis and spine. It also alleviates physical stress for the parent by balancing the weight to parents’ hips and shoulders. A unique infant insert is perfect for the tiniest of babies. Recommend usage is up to 40 lbs, or as long as you and your baby feel comfortable. Made for both front and back carrying this is one item I always have with me. Breast feeding is no problem with a convenient head cover and an ingenious pocket fits my wallet and cell phone perfectly.

6) Not an advocate of unnecessary chemicals on baby’s precious skin, I happily recommend the all-natural, zinc-free BUM BUM BALM® from Dimpleskins Naturals. It is another terrific product made right here in BC. Using coconut oil, organic calendula oil, cocoa butter, vitamin E oil, and pure lavender essential oil, there are fewer things you can find that are safer and work better on your baby’s unexpected diaper rash than this. All of its natural components make it safe for even the most sensitive skin and those using cloth diapers will love that this product does not create a barrier like other traditional diaper creams. Instead, it keeps cloth absorbent so liquids don’t leak out. Make sure to keep one in your diaper bag!

7) Keeping tabs on baby while they sleep is very important. To avoid checking every five minutes, a practical and reliable monitor is very important. If you are in the next room or outside in the garden, I put my trust in The First Years Everywhere Monitor 3998. This first-of-its kind impact resistant monitor keeps you connected to baby anywhere – even in the shower! The rechargeable parent unit includes a charging stand that completely cuts down on wasted batteries. Sound lights, an audible out-of-range indicator, and a low battery indicator provide additional reassurance when you’re away from baby. Not a fan of monitors with alarms or expensive video screens that seldom get watched, this monitor does its job with NO buzzing or annoying feedback. Slightly more expensive than some, this monitor is still going strong in our house after four year of use.

Once swaddling ends, using a sleep sac is a reassuring way to make sure baby stays warm and covered while sleeping. The Agoo 3-in-1 Sleep Sac is a unique design that meets the needs of every season. It has a removable quilt insert for the cold winter months, a lighter fleece layer for fall and spring, and no insert for the warmer summer months. Built larger than most, this sleep sac was used by my son from 5 month until three years old. With snaps up the side and a zipper across the bottom, it opens up completely so you don’t have to wake baby to put them inside. Unlike others, the blanketing is only on the top layer, similar to how you and I sleep, not over-heating baby with added thickness underneath. I like that it keeps baby covered so you don’t have to continually replace blankets, plus the sleep sac means that there is no chance for baby’s face to accidentally get covered during the night. This product actually helped me get some sleep!

This weekend I attended a beautiful Greek wedding. It was a very ceremonial event lasting over an hour and filled with tradition and symbolism. At one point in the ceremony, the priest spoke about the roles of both the husband and wife. As he read from his scriptures he talked about the bond between a man and a woman, how he is to love her as he loves himself and how she is to love him like no other. As much as she is to honor him, he (the priest said) is to honor her in return. He is to be the king in his house and she is to be the queen, he is to treat her with love, respect and cherish her as he cherishes himself.

All of the priest’s words spoke of equality, sharing and the importance of each person in the union. It praised the couple and said profoundly that they are to be the king and queen of their household and above all else, honor one other.

Sitting there, moved by the beauty of the church and the power of the ceremony, I reached over and held the hand of my husband. We will be together ten years this November and over that time we have been through our share of good days and bad.

Like many of you, our relationship was carefree and blissful those early days of marriage. It was the “creamy time” my father-in-law used to say, referring to how the cream from the butter rises to the top, but is only a thin layer and can disappear quickly. We happily enjoyed being a twosome, as we blissfully grew into one another.

About a month ago my mother came to visit me. She lives in a relatively small town, so her trips to the city consist of us doing a lot of shopping. Recently, her favorite foundation had run out so we happily made our way down to the expensive department store for a new jar. Due to the birth of my daughter and the lifestyle of a mom with two kids, I had not been using my foundation so I had not actually been to the store in over nine months. Little did I know that they had completely renovated and upgraded the store to a kind of super-luxury status. The new glass walls, fancy escalator and modernized décor screamed of the big dollars and high price tags. The staff was superbly quaffed, the floor highly polished, the furniture extremely expensive, even the mannequins appeared posh.

I, of course, had just rushed out the door, leaving the kids with Dad so I could spend a few hours shopping. My hair was on day four without a shower, my jeans had a stain on the thigh, my cotton cargo coat looked rumpled from fishing it out of the back of the car, and not to mention one of the pockets was being held together with a large safety pin after my son torn it while playing tag. I had no make up on, and the post pregnancy hormones were having one of those days with my face. Hurrying to make it out the door before one of the kids had a fit, made me think little of what my appearance was and more about making the escape.

Yet in that huge arena where every cosmetic and fragrance fashionista stands donned perfectly in their made up faces, fashion forward outfits and slightly thinner than thin bodies, I saw my reflection in the eight thousand mirrors they installed. What I saw, I truly didn’t like. By the time I reached the counter of my favorite make-up, I was cringing and wishing I could just turn back. Yet, the sales clerk I always chat with was there, greeting me louder than I expected, as if drawing attention to the pitiful mess I had become. The once over was all I needed to hammer home the sight I must have made, scuffed shoes, broken nails, no earrings, no make-up and of course, still carrying my summer purse.

It was all I needed to remind me that although I am a full time mom and I work from home, I didn’t have to look this way. Immediately, I made a pact with myself. My daughter is almost eleven months, and the mommy-frump, daze is over. No longer am I breastfeeding (one of my favorite excuses for loose and comfy clothes). No longer am I recovering or as sleep deprived as I once was. This not caring about how I look, had to change.

About a month ago my mother came to visit me. She lives in a relatively small town, so her trips to the city consist of us doing a lot of shopping. Recently, her favorite foundation had run out so we happily made our way down to the expensive department store for a new jar. Due to the birth of my daughter and the lifestyle of a mom with two kids, I had not been using my foundation so I had not actually been to the store in over nine months. Little did I know that they had completely renovated and upgraded the store to a kind of super-luxury status. The new glass walls, fancy escalator and modernized décor screamed of the big dollars and high price tags. The staff was superbly quaffed, the floor highly polished, the furniture extremely expensive, even the mannequins appeared posh.

I, of course, had just rushed out the door, leaving the kids with Dad so I could spend a few hours shopping. My hair was on day four without a shower, my jeans had a stain on the thigh, my cotton cargo coat looked rumpled from fishing it out of the back of the car, and not to mention one of the pockets was being held together with a large safety pin after my son torn it while playing tag. I had no make up on, and the post pregnancy hormones were having one of those days with my face. Hurrying to make it out the door before one of the kids had a fit, made me think little of what my appearance was and more about making the escape.

Yet in that huge arena where every cosmetic and fragrance fashionista stands donned perfectly in their made up faces, fashion forward outfits and slightly thinner than thin bodies, I saw my reflection in the eight thousand mirrors they installed. What I saw, I truly didn’t like. By the time I reached the counter of my favorite make-up, I was cringing and wishing I could just turn back. Yet, the sales clerk I always chat with was there, greeting me louder than I expected, as if drawing attention to the pitiful mess I had become. The once over was all I needed to hammer home the sight I must have made, scuffed shoes, broken nails, no earrings, no make-up and of course, still carrying my summer purse.

It was all I needed to remind me that although I am a full time mom and I work from home, I didn’t have to look this way. Immediately, I made a pact with myself. My daughter is almost eleven months, and the mommy-frump, daze is over. No longer am I breastfeeding (one of my favorite excuses for loose and comfy clothes). No longer am I recovering or as sleep deprived as I once was. This not caring about how I look, had to change.

My recent blog “I Swore I Would Never” seems to have struck a chord with a few readers. Many of you have responded and told me how much you have enjoyed this blog. Here’s what one reader had to say:

“I absolutely adore this post. I am sitting here in our study with the hormonal tears of a pregnant woman, my toddler sleeping in the next room. In between the two rooms is the stack of Mega Blocks I nearly broke my neck on trying to get to the computer. I totally understand every word of this blog. I wish all women would read this. Especially the women like the author’s earlier self. It is hard when you are out and about with your kids having a good time and then become acutely aware of disapproving glances or downright rude stares from some young woman with no stretch marks. The worst is the obvious looking up and down of your outfit. So what if there is ketchup on my shirt? It got there because I just got the best hug ever from a two year old who just happens to like chicken nuggets dipped fifteen times each in a massive pile of ketchup. Dang hormones, typing that last sentence made me start crying again.”

posted by Great Sommelier

Thanks Great Sommelier, it made my day to know that I am not the only one and others can relate to this amazing and wonderful thing called motherhood!

Now going into my fourth year (of motherhood), I have to say that the crazy, mind-boggling and often completely overwhelming no longer seems so incomprehensible, but instead just commonplace. Over this holiday weekend we attended a BBQ, had a day at the pool and an evening with friends at our house. Each and every event was filled with kids, noise, chaos, confusion and half-finished sentences in between broken conversations. Each set of parents juggled food, spills, trips to the toilet, bumps, cries and negotiations over who did what to whom. The babies got trampled over by the bigger kids; the toys got fought over by the ones still not able to understand how to share. Only one small, uncherished item got broken, and the two bowls of food on the floor were quickly cleaned up by the collective parents.

It all was very unstructured as parties or events go, and between diaper changes and nap times, crying spells and tug of wars, we as the parents just helped, provided and attended to whichever kid needed it at the time. While I assisted my friend’s daughter with taking off her shoes, someone else held my baby. When my son wanted more ketchup while I was breastfeeding, a friend’s dad fetched it for him. Each parent took a turn with whichever youngster needed help, whether it was on the slide, in the water, getting juice or brushing off a scraped knee. It didn’t seem to matter whose child it was, just whoever was closest.

There was, however, a moment when all the toddlers were at the kid’s table and the babies on the laps of their mom’s and the food was dished out. For what seemed like a few minutes we actually all got to enjoy our food before the milk spilled, the napkins became swooshy swords, the baby started crying and the phone began to ring.

Off in the comer, once again nursing the baby, I looked at all the commotion and mayhem, saw the frazzled fathers trying to feed their kids, the burnt-out mothers eating faster than humanly possible, the kids testing the limits… even the dog was getting in on the anarchy of the situation.

Amidst it all I thought to myself…
It’s crazy, hard to believe and almost comical that a few years ago all these people only cared about their cars, or computers. A former evening like this would have been filled with alcohol, adult jokes, a lot of smoking, drinking and–dare I say it?–sex at the end.

My girlfriend who visited the hairdresser monthly was now picking rice out of her hair, and the stud of the group was fixing the bows on the back of his twin girl’s dresses. Everyone’s strappy sandals were replaced with comfy flats, our designer purses were engulfed by diaper bags. It was as if we had all morphed without even knowing it into that new species called parents.

I can’t say that I don’t completely miss my sexy, summer dress, the awesome tan I’d have by now, or the freedom to drink a few wine coolers and completely relax with friends. It would be nice to put my feet up on a pillowy lounge chair, feel the sun on my face and close my eyes as the Latin or jazz music played in the background. I’d even like the idea of romance with my husband, the enjoyable flirtation that results in the perfect evening ending with you giddy, in love and wanting each other…

Snap out of it, JB! The baby is crying… 11:20pm, time for a feed. Back to reality.

Until next time, standing on my soapbox,

JB

Studying costumes and costume design was one of my favorite things in school. For whatever reason, I loved the ornate and overly detailed fabrics of the years gone by. I was particularly enthralled with the 17th century, the French court and all that was Renaissance.

I adored the intricate floral prints, the ribbons, lace and overly grand ensembles that every lady wore. The stomacher, Watteau pleating, chemise and pannier hoops were just a few of the accomplices of that highly ostentatious era. Red heels, lace cuffs and a six inch ruff on the men made them no less the object of great finery. All was big, bold and overly impressive.

What I did find odd though was how the children were dressed as miniature copies of their parent’s attire right down to the brass buttons, lace pinafores and diamond buckles. It seemed a bit odd to me at the time how anyone would think a child, barely walking, would enjoy the layers upon layers of court dress, not to mention the opulence, constriction and weight that accompanied such elaborate outfits.

It seems common sense to me that any child would prefer the loose, light and carefree construction of a simple garment, and their parents would want something easy to clean, repair or discard if destroyed in climbing a fence or rolling down a grassy knoll. Yet, in all of the historical depictions, no matter how poor or how impoverished, children still wore their bonnets, layered skirts and dutiful aprons.

These days we can look back and see the silliness of such customs. Children are meant to dress as children: cute, comfortable and pure. The innocence that comes with being a child should be reflected and encouraged in the way that they dress. Of course, we know better these days, and we practice it. We no longer live in a society that expects children to dress in such absurdity, clothes light years beyond their age and so inappropriate. No, we have defiantly evolved…or have we?

This week I stepped into a well-know retail store to buy something for my eight month old daughter. I was looking for a cute white sweater that would go with all her adorable summer dresses. As I made my way to the baby section I was immediately greeted by the mannequins and front rack displays that don the season’s newest arrivals. There, right in front was a baby bikini, metallic gold with a pair of cut-off denim shorts worn over the bottoms. Again I was in the baby section…

I had to stop and look twice at this miniature replica of a very sexy, beach-babe bathing suit. Perfect little triangles to cover the breast area with stringy straps to hold it in place, metallic, shiny fabric to give it just the right amount of…? What, sex appeal?

With the tag saying 12-18 months I had to use my hand to close my chin as it gaped open with shock. This is actually for an infant, I tried to rationalize in my brain. Some designer actually thought that this was a good choice to put in a store and present it to the public as an …(I am lost for words!) “option” to wear at Water Babies? What were they thinking? This doesn’t belong on a baby any more than lipstick and a padded bra does. But there it was, ready to be taken home and wedged over a pair of disposable water diapers for a day at the beach.
It seemed utterly outrageous to me that anyone would put their kids in clothes such as this. Dressing them up far beyond their years and making them look like adults. This was not just older, sophisticated clothing, but older, giving-off-a-certain-kind-of-message clothing. A message that we do see all around us in movies, television, music and even cartoons, but a message in my opinion that could possible be dangerous.

As stood at the cash register still reeling in my disgust I watched a girl, five maybe six, wait impatiently for her mother to pay. She was very cute, stunning almost under the layers of baby fat and childhood pudginess, but her outfit spoke a different tune, a white low cut top, eyelet peasant skirt with high heeled espadrilles laced up her calves. She sat on the floor, creeping and crawling as kids do when they are bored. I saw her red underwear as she sat Indian style, rolled around and flashed all of us endlessly in an attempt to be a lady, but was truly still a child.

Of course, when you have kids, you know all kids insist on doing everything their way. I am sure for her mother, letting her wear that was easier than the arguing and hysterics that would come with refusing it, and yet there was a part of me that wished the mother had won this one. As a woman and as a mother, I have seen those parts—I have those parts—and look at them as just body parts, but what about people with ulterior motives? Shouldn’t we be asking: aside from what is fashionable, what is sensible?

It’s nice to dress your kids in the latest fashions. We know more about what Britney Spears and Paris Hilton are wearing than the state of the nation or the people running it. Fashion is a serious way of life. We all race to the stores to get the newest collections and we try harder and harder to look like the pictures in the marketing campaigns. Not that that’s bad–I am the first person to put fashion before a lot of other things, but should we put kids in fashion that they’re not ready for? That’s too mature for them? That’s the question.

As we today might think that it was foolish to over-dress the children of the French Renaissance, what will those in the future think of the somewhat underdressed children of today? Bikinis on babies, high heels on toddlers, belly baring tops, lingerie for kids. It is what we like as adults, it is what we see in the media, it is what we are becoming accustomed to, but what I want to know is: should we be okay with it?

It is up to you to decide what is best for your children at the their particular age. You are their judge, reference and enforcer. Forget trying to be their best friend and let go of what you think may make them mad. I would rather they be mad at me than hurt, assaulted or flattered to believing that dressing inappropriately is okay. There is always time for them to grow up and step into the role of fashionista, time for them to be comfortable with their bodies and understand the messages clothes can send. For now, don’t just buy something because you see it in the store, or because everyone else is wearing it, buy it because it gives the message that this kid is happy being a kid.

I’d love to hear your feedback,

Standing on my soapbox,

JB