Why?

Upon looking for a new swimsuit for my 13-month old daughter, I am shocked and very disheartened at what is available. I mean, seriously.... why do our babies need to dress like 20 year old supermodels? There is SO much pressure to be a certain size and have a certain body type as an adult... why do we have to put that strain on our children?

Who puts their child in these?

I think it is completely inappropriate for my 13-month old to be in a bikini with only a bandana covering her chest. Why does so much skin need to be showing? Is this cute? Is this how I want my daughter to look out in public? What does it say to her when I choose to put her in a swimsuit like this?

I'm just sickened by the way our world has become so de-sensitized to modesty and appropriate clothing for the appropriate age. These swimsuits were available for sale from 3-6 months all the way up to a 5T. It was just another reminder to me of how difficult my job is as the mother of a girl. How do I impress upon her that beauty comes from within when the world is saying the exact opposite? How do I explain to her that God did create us to be beautiful and to care for ourselves but that our motivation should be a pleasant representation of God, who lives in us?

The journey ahead is a long one, of that I am sure. I only hope that I can show E that even though the world is constantly drumming it into her head that she needs to be sexy and attractive to men, that just the opposite is true. I hope that I can successfully show her that even though she may dress very differently from her friends, that she is a beautiful girl inside and out and that she does not need to display as much of her body as possible in order to feel attractive.

Lord help me in this battle between the world and You. Give me strength and wisdom as I train this child to be different from the world in so many ways. Give her such a strong love and desire for you that her focus will not be set on gaining worldly experiences, but that she will seek to serve you and display herself in such a way that she can proud of who she is in You!