“Ooh my my baby don’t be shy
I see that spark flashing in your eye
My heart beats fast ’cause I want it all
So baby come with me and be my ooh la la”

Britney Spears

Chloe sings this verse over and over. Does she know what it means? I think she might…

She asked me the other day when it would be ok for her to date. (Yes, 8 going on preteen fast, thanks Disney Channel.)

That’s a hard question. I feel it is important that I as her mother guide her and of course discipline her as needed, but if I was to enforce some rule about when she is allowed to do this or that I don’t think it will work.

I stalled for a second thinking of an answer to her question.

“When do you think it would be appropriate for you to date or kiss a boy?” I asked.

She thought about it for a little bit.

“When I’m 13.”

Whew! OK. I can agree to that.

There have been a lot of interesting talks with Chloe lately. The other night at dinner, all about God. While driving through a rougher neighborhood she read a sign, “Drug Dealers Beware”. We had a talk about drugs and their effects on the body and mind.

Maybe 8 seems a little early to be talking about drugs and dating. I don’t think so though. She is exposed to it everywhere in the media and I have known people who started taking drugs before their 10th birthday.

Scary. But if she knows that she can ask me about these things, that I’ll tell it to her straight, maybe that will help her in getting through these years ahead and maintaining her integrity and inherent goodness in spite of the environment’s ever pressing message otherwise.

Chloe turns 9 next month. She’s planning her birthday party, talks about riding horses and loves to draw. But she also sings Britney Spears, dreams of falling in love and seems in such a hurry to grow up.

I want to educate this girl so her innocence does not betray her.

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Jennifer Latch