Kristina Light

Kristina LightKristina Light, Electronic Media Manager for KCParent.com, and Editor of the all new KC Going Paces Magazine, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri, and is happily raising her family in her hometown. She and her husband, Ron, have four daughters. Kristina loves exploring Kansas City's treasured places and meeting the wonderful people who bring our city to life.


Follow the Kansas City Mom Blogs on your iGoogle Homepage or in iGoogle Reader!

Add to Google

Go Back

It's All About ME!

by: Kristina Light

published on: 8/24/2009 12:00:00 AM

    I have been to the mall and I have watched the teens in t-shirts with rude slogans and images. I have read countless bumper stickers that make me dread the day my daughters are completely reading and ask, "Mommy what does that mean?" I've come to expect this from some teens and adults (and I am very grateful to know many terrific teens who are wonderful, honest, polite people going against cultural trends).

    However, while I've come to "expect" and almost accept the fact that this sort of thing is common for the "old enough to drive" crowd, I've truly been shocked and dismayed to see how common it is for the preschool set!

    This month, I took my girls shopping for fall clothes to take advantage of Back to School sales. I was disappointed in the number of shirts with rude slogans designed for toddlers! The one that stood out on this particular shopping trip was a Toddler Girl shirt that said, "It's All About Me!" Another mom was shopping and she commented on how that was "perfect for her little girl." I wanted to ask her if that same daughter walked into her home at the age of 16 and announced, "It's All About Me!" - would that be okay?

    Why is it okay for toddlers to wear slogans that proudly boast self-centeredness and rudeness? Why is it okay to declare these things cute for a two year old wardrobe when the very same remark would have a teen grounded (at least in the house I grew up in)?

    And most of all, why are we encouraging kids to grow up to be self-centered and impolite, rather than teaching consideration and character? What are we promoting?

    So moms, what do you think? Are these things really okay and are you supporting the retail industry in training our kids to be selfish?

tagged with: Girls Character Fashion

share this: Facebook DZone It! Digg It! StumbleUpon Technorati Del.icio.us NewsVine Reddit Blinklist Furl it!

Comments  7

  • Jennifer Bentch 24 Aug, 07:45 AM

    Kristina, this cracked me up.  Very true that some shirts are terribly rude and I would never buy either of my children a shirt that said, "It's all about ME!" or anything similar.  That crosses a line for me.  But, I must admit, I love a funny t-shirt.  My son has worn shirts that say, "My mom rocks!" "My Dad Rocks!" "Too busy being awesome!" and my fav "My parents are exhausted."  He and his dad have even had matching shirts that say v1.0 (dad) and v2.0(son). What can I say?  I have a weird sense of humor and find these things hilarious. 

  • Jennifer C. 24 Aug, 07:50 AM

    I think unfortunately selfishness is culturally acceptable..."me time" and "it's all about me" or "look out for number 1" are all slogans I've heard time and time again.  I am thankful though that there are some artists that proclaim more positive messages.  For example, I love Jack Johnson's song about sharing..."it's always more fun to share with every one..."  There are people out there that do proclaim positive messages too.  I think as consumers we have the right to choose, and sadly some parents and kids make poor decisions.  That's life though...living, learning, and thinking about our choices.

  • Korinne 24 Aug, 07:52 AM

    Kristina, I absolutely agree with you.  Something that started out with cute sayings turned ugly very quickly and it is just one more thing that plays into children with innocense lost. 

    -And I'm disgusted by size 6 hot pants with words on the back.  Why were those even created?

  • Trisch B 24 Aug, 09:00 AM

    You are absolutely correct!  I'm so tired of seeing ANY one in clothes like this.  One of the trends in our area is to wear slogans on the seat of short shorts or band-aid skirts.  God entrusts us to protect and preserve the innocence of our children with a focus on Him. 

    Another thing that bothers me are people turning their young girls loose on street corners in skimpy bathing suits to raise money for this or that by having a car wash.  They are teaching these girls to sell themselves.  I have absolutely gone out of my way on Saturday to avoid certain intersections in the summertime because the car load of young men that I was/am raising must be taught to avoid all appearance of evil.   I have come to expect that from the public school cheerleaders and what not, but even some churches are doing this.  I did stop at one car wash a few weeks ago to make a donation and to thank the adult in charge for having young men and women in t-shirts and jeans with enough adults present to oversee the situation holding signs. They were washing window and cleaning and vacuuming cars to raise money for a missions trip.

  • Lizz 24 Aug, 01:55 PM

    No, they are not okay, at least not in my opinion! 

    I've seen some that I think are funny, but most are repulsive!  If I spend a good amount of time teaching my children it isn't all about them, why in the world would I buy them a shirt that says the opposite?

  • Shannon Byus 24 Aug, 02:53 PM

     This really hit home my mother in law bought a tee shirt for my daughter that read " Midnight Cowgirl"  I couldn't help but laugh that she didn't get the meaning of it but then I thought about the young teen girls that wear such a thing it really bothered me! Needless to say she did not wear that shirt!

  • Sarah W 25 Aug, 05:50 PM

    I agree with Jennifer B that some of the shirts are cute!!  But I think you were talking about the ones that are more offensive.  The one I got that I thought was weird was a onesie that said, "Does this diaper make my butt look big?"  
Post a comment!
  4. Formatting options