June 24, 2009

Don't be in such a hurry to grow up

While collecting the kids from school today, I noticed something different about my son. He had a purple love heart drawn on his face. On his cutey pie cheek actually. This needed further investigating.

When I asked Mr C about it, he went all sheepish and blushed and grinned and said "oh, Shalom did it." Then he went on:


"oh mum, she is so funny, she is the funniest in the class. She does funny things all the time". All the while grinning and looking somewhat wistful in the distance.

"Oh really" I say, trying not to embarrass him, not unlike his two sisters who start chanting "Mr C and Shalom, kissing in the lane, K I S S I N G...

This little girl is actually gorgeous. She is funny and friendly and has the cutest chubby cheeks you just want to pinch!

This has got me thinking about how early crushes begin? My older two are 6 and 8 and they both talk about other kids in their class who they "like" and who they chase and who chase them back. Wow 6 years old and chasing girls, it's kinda scary because I didn't have my first boyfriend til I was in Year 7, which made me 13.

He was "my first kiss" behind the big garbage bins in E Block after school. There were 3 couples all at it and we missed the bus home. I didn't lose my virginity til I was 17, so maybe I was a late bloomer.

I know when young kids say they "like" someone it's all fun and innocence, but I am aware that kids are more knowledgeable and in tune with things at an earlier age these days. And that is scary.

My 8 year old daughter is wanting to wear midriff tops and tight jeans and is very aware of what she looks like. I only shudder to think what it will be like when she is a new teenager. She asks me questions about different things, and I am honest with her. At her age, I didn't have a clue.

Is society putting these ideas into these little minds, giving them too much information too soon? Or is it television, movies and media in general? I hope to keep my kids free from this pressure to grow up, for as long as I can. I want to let them have their innocence and sweet beliefs before they learn how hard it actually is growing up.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

My 7 year old cannot wait to be a teenager. She thinks something magical will happen as soon as she turns one! :-) This cracks me up. The only magical thing that will happen is she will get to get a job and find out what it's like to pay car insurance and a cell phone bill!!!

Suzanne said...

Awww...it is sweet, though. I can handle 7 year old crushes. It's my 12 year old who can't stop looking in the mirror and practically posing when a boy walks by that is FREAKING ME OUT!:-)

Doodles said...

My kids are the same way, my 10 yr old son and 9 yr old daughter are always talking about kids at school they like or in the neighborhood that they like. My 5 yr old had a crush too. I just remember my mom telling me when I was her age I punched a girl for kissing (on the cheek) my boyfriend. It was the one and only time I got in trouble in school.

Jen said...

I hear you. If they only knew that they need to be kids. Being an adult is no fun.

Barbara said...

It's definitely television, radio, billboards and school. It certainly doesn't help when they are doing sex education so early (in grade 6). I don't think we did that at school until I was in year 9. My boys had crushes and 'girlfriends' that last for 2 days until they all swap LOL. It's getting scary with my eldest now though, he comes home with all sorts of stuff written on his arms and is starting to have proper girlfriends. I am so not ready for that.

Farmers Wifey said...

Terri, Yes kids don't know how easy they get it now. There's so much stress when you are a grown up, worrying about so much!

Suzanne, what a difference just a few years make. When the are 7 they are still babies, but once they hit double figures, bamm watch out lol

Doodles lmao you certainly knew what you wanted when you were 5!!

Jen, I agree, why do they want to grow up so quickly. My son talks about when he is grown up he can go to the pub for a beer!! omg.

Barbara, I often wonder about sex ed, and I do remember this at school when I was in about yr 9 also. My 8 yr old daughter does ask me things (about girl stuff etc) and I answer as honestly as I can, without too much info!