Wednesday 28 September 2011

Can we keep teenage girls as little girls?

Or do we accept them as young women!

I was drawn to a status on Twitter by Duncan Bannatyne, from the popular Dragon's Den programme and felt I had to join in, have my say on the matter!

Duncan Bannatyne

I am disgusted to see Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts saying mothers should not have individual choice of how to bring up daughters
Duncan Bannatyne
In the Star today she says girls under 16 should never receive a beauty treatment with mother

Duncan Bannatyne
She says in today's Star that mothers should not take teenage daughters for beauty treatments

Duncan Bannatyne

Mumsnet founder Justine Roberts says in todays Star there should be longer period for teenage girls to recieve any hair removal treratment
Sadie Quinton

@
Link plz to where she says it, so we can share her narrow minded views!
Duncan Bannatyne

Her comment is here dailystar.
Sadie Quinton

@
Does she not know some girls mature so early and others later! They can be ridiculed at school then low self esteem!
Kathleen
by DuncanBannatyne
@
Surely it's up to the girls? It's not like you're offering tattoos or sun beds. That woman is thoroughly obnoxious.
Sadie Quinton
by DuncanBannatyne
@
Does she not know some girls mature so early and others later! They can be ridiculed at school then low self esteem!
Duncan Bannatyne

@
I think she just likes to open her mouth and be heard. Mothers requested we do treatments for teenagers with mum present
Kathleen
by DuncanBannatyne
@
Yup! I started shaving my legs at 14, the scars are proof that I would have benefitted from professional wax!
Sadie Quinton

@
some 13yr olds are just very mature and I read it as a pamperring session to be shared with mum great bonding time
Duncan Bannatyne

@
Thank you that is exactly what it is


bannatynespa.com//teentreatments they look amazing to me!

There is also a bit about it in The Daily Mail Online .dailymail.co.uk//Dragons-Den-star

So it caught my eye, I myself have two young daughters and am hoping that in the future, I can help to make the transition into womanhood a positive experience, not something to be embarrassed over and talked quietly about, its a fact we women go through many changes and one of those is maturing where we start menstruating and also grow hairs in places around our bodies as do men of course, but where as men can proudly show off there growth, a lot of us women like a smooth appearance.

Look at the ridicule some stars have had for showing fuzzy under arms, my mind thinks of the stunning Julia Roberts on an award night and the following day all the papers were pretty damning of her lack of  grooming, I am all for personal choice, but would hope that my daughters if they choose to de-fuzz then do so with guidance and help in the beginning.

I love the idea of going along to a spa with my girls, I will also state now I am all for keeping children, children, but in today's world we have to accept they seem to grow up quicker.
I don't dress my children older than they are, but already at almost four my oldest daughter has her own mind, she knows what she likes and doesn't like.
I rarely wear make-up but thanks to adverts on the telly and her friends having a certain little girly shoe, my daughter got a little make-up pack, which amused me by letting her try it, yes her whole face was covered, the sofa got to wear some too, I mean it was like a little brush to decorate not just her face but everything else too!
Its not something I would allow her to have all the time, but as a little fun on the day she got it why not, she had fun and it all cleaned off quickly.


I don't think it is for anyone to tell us how we bring up our own daughters and sons, I know I have my ideas and my three sisters have theirs.
I have watched five beautiful nieces grow into beautiful young women, even with my sisters for their mothers, so I can only hope I do half as good a job as they have!
(Love my sisters really & very proud of how their children have all grown up!)

I have friends whose daughters have tried nail varnish, its not something they do all the time, just something they see their mums doing and being curious want to try themselves, I have seen children's nail varnish that peels off easily, so if one day mine ask to try it, I may be inclined to let them, its not like they would be wearing it all the time, just little girls desperately wanting to be grown up like their Mum, the same as little girls playing Mummies and Daddies, all part of the growing and learning process!

Anna my two and a half year old, loves clunking around in high heals, yet sadly she can not look up to me, I own only one pair of medium heals that I struggle to balance in.
She sometimes manages to find them then proceeds to walk around, clunk, clunk, clunking and I watch surprised as she handles them better than I do, she loves her little pair of toy heals she got with a dressing up outfit and watch out her sister if she dares to wear them!


So I for one applaud that there is more options available to the teenagers of today, I have looked at what Duncan Bannatyne's Spa's are offering and I look forward to one day being able to share a similar experience with my daughters, I see it as a option, its not only offering young ladies pedicures, manicures, mini facials, but also limited waxing hair removal at a very reasonable rate and only under arm and legs.

I am sure by the time my daughters are teenagers, there will be more Spa's / Saloons offering similar things for teenagers, which are our women of the future!

I would of loved the opportunity to spend quality time with my mother at what I remember of my teenage years being quite fraught at times, imagine the difference had we had a relaxing pampering session away from our home environment, I may of talked more and shared a growing experience!

Let each parent decide for themselves, when is the right time their daughters are ready to try new experiences, be it waxing, getting nails done or making a first cup of coffee, for no two children are the same and only a parent can know when they are ready to experince these things!



5 comments:

  1. I think we should accept teenage girls are one their way to becoming young women. Whilst they are not yet totally emotionally mature they are en route !

    We should not be forcing beauty treatments and the like upon them - but yes if they ask about these things , discuss and compromise are key.

    Tell a teenager 'that is wrong and this is right' and they'll switch off from you and do it anyway !

    Great post my dear ! I'm with you on this !

    ReplyDelete
  2. I just wanted to say what a fab post. Very well put . I have a son but if I had a daughter I imagine that I would feel the same as you

    ReplyDelete
  3. Interesting post. I remember starting senior school and because I have dark brown hair it was very obvious on my legs and I did get laughed at. I really had to start shaving before I was 14. When you think about it it's a stupid and sexist convention - why is it ok for men to be hairy - but I am so conditioned to think it disgusting I wouldn't go unshaven.
    I don't think teenagers should be having anything permanent or things which mask their natural beauty but if it's going to save them embarrassment and ridicule then go for it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great post, I think it's great to have the opportunity to take your daughter for these kinds of treatments when they are old enough and mature enough.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great post. They grow up so quickly. I have a son but I try to enjoy him at every stage.

    ReplyDelete