Best Drama Story of the Week.

So with nine/ten year old girls, there is always bound to be a story. Beyond my little possessed camper, we have another camper who was in hysterics that the boy she liked went home (due to homesickness, I believe). She had been crying all day and couldn't eat. She talked to him about three times (in total) and have had a few tizzies with another girl who liked him as well. The best part is that she doesn't think she could enjoy camp ever again because she never told him how she feels.

Also in my house, there is apparently another camper has three "boyfriends," another has two, and another likes one of the junior boy counselors (which is harmless because it's just like the little crushes most girls get on all of the "unattainables"). I heard all this "gossip" when they came to hang out in my room during Rec Hour.

Me: "I didn't even think girls your age would be into boys yet!"
Their response: "Of course we are. We are TEN."
Me: "Gosh, I didn't even have my first boyfriend until I was 16."
Them: "Whaaaaaat?!"
Girl #1: "I'm not really into it all right now. I don't like any boys right now."
Me: "So what does having a boyfriend mean?"
Girl #2: "You know... we talk during swimming class, and we wave to each other. We're also going to the dance together."
Me: "Ooooohhh, I see. Then why have two boyfriends? I think having one boyfriend would be enough!"
Girl #2: "Oh, he's more like a friend, you know."

A little bit of me was a bit sad to hear all this. They have all their lives to worry about boy problems, but I guess they don't have much else to dramatize in their lives at this age... and it's all over the media... but still sadness.

To get on my maternal soapbox, I want to rant about the kid fashion industry. Nothing gets me more going than this. The issue? Pants/shorts/skirts with text written across the bum. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, FASHION?! We have so many cases of pedophiles, child molestation, and kidnapping. Yes, let's bring more unwanted attention to our young girls; that's a GREAT idea to stop the problems.

One of my campers had a pair of jeans with "pretty girl" written across. WHY is it necessary to have big "bling" letters in that location? Even for older kids and young adults, stuff across the tush is just asking for inappropriate eyes. It is utterly pointless and ticks me off that parents would even buy this crap. Your kids can be stylish without sacrificing their innocence. Stop shoving them to grow up faster. Let them enjoy the moments of carefree childhood for as long as they can before they have to be in "the real world" for the rest of their lives. I had to grow up too fast due to circumstances (thank goodness not due to fashion), and it's probably why I feel like I'm 49 inside already (and that I'm just an old soul... :) ). If there's one thing that I respect most about Dad with my little brother is that he makes it a point that he wants Chase to enjoy childhood as long as possible. I think he knows that LK and I had the opposite.

All right, off my maternal soapbox now. Whenever I have kids one day, they're going to have way too much fun and love (with structure, of couuuurse!) to even worry about boys before the age of ten!

- Miss Chelsea :)