“A wise old owl sat on an oak; The more he saw the less he spoke; The less he spoke the more he heard; Why aren't we like that wise old bird?”
I am definitely not an owl. I am more like a woodpecker, banging on all day not really saying much but making a lot of annoying, repetitive noise. For someone who so admires wise folk it is a shame I don't strive to be more owl-like. I speak before I think and I disappoint myself a lot with my overly talkative nature.
Really I think I should try a lot harder to be more wise. Now that I have a child I often think about the example I am setting for her. So many things I'd like to change about myself, one of them being my big mouth!
Anyway on the topic of owls I thought I might take the opportunity to show you all the work of a very wise lady. Wynona is terribly modest and oh so talented. She has a childrenswear label with her sister Anna, it is called Ivy Designs. A beautiful Aussie handmade-with-love brand that is close to my heart. Their much anticipated winter range has just been released and it did not disappoint. My very favourite is the Owl Pinny pictured below:
Image taken from here: http://www.ivydesigns.bigcartel.com/product/owl-pinny
Oh how I love owls, they are so beautiful and perfect for this little frock. The fabric is ever so pretty and so stylish without being an adults dress in a tiny size. I am very particular about the way I dress my daughter, I am of the belief that children should enjoy their childhood in gorgeous playful clothes. I see no room for children to dress like adults, in clothing designed to makes waistlines look smaller and chests bigger.
I know these days kids are being forced to grow up so quickly. The sexualisation of children worries me greatly, little things like babies in bikinis and mini skirts might be harmless fun to some but to me symbolises a step away from what a childhood should be all about- nice, clean fun! You can get about in skanky attire to your hearts content as an adult why not wear the superman cape to the shops with rain boots and a cute sunhat now? I love pretty childrens clothes but I have no time for sexy or tweenie.
I really think it is a shame to miss out on your only real chance to be playful and innocent. Why start wearing midriff tops and hot pants with lip gloss and trashy shoes when you are 6? You have your whole lives to do that. I'm not into awful dowdy clothes, I love fashion and I love stylish little outfits, I just like them to be fit for children.
What are your thoughts?
It's friday night now and I think I might sit back and read a few magazines I treated myself with this week. Have a lovely weekend everyone. I'm off to a funny store called The Foam Booth to collect my foam order tomorrow. Yes I have some crafting in store, I will definitely post photos when and if I achieve anything of note, I promise!
I totally agree with what you've said about children being treated like and made into adults when they should be enjoying their childhood. If we're blessed with children I plan to teach them to sew, knit and be very good at reading, as well as going on lots of country walks and enjoying being little :)
ReplyDeleteYes for sure, I believe kids need to be kids. I have 2 boys and I tell you they will never be made to dress like a teenager until they are one.
ReplyDeleteI think the bratz range are a bad role model for little girls. It's just grooming them to be little so and so's. In saying that, I know we wanted to grow up just as quick, but now being a mum - hopefully I can try and control things a little.
I love the dresses Wynona has created, the owls are beautiful - she has done a wonderful job.
I am a woodpecker too. and I am the same with the talking (as you can see with my babble of a reply) I talk too much too and my husband forever tells me to 'get to the point!'
But it's important to tell you - what the weather was like, the people around, what they were wearing, and how low the birds were flying!!!
I'd rather be a talker than too shy!
I absolutely love the dress! It's adorable and makes me wish my daughter was that size again! She's 20 now and far from those days! I totally agree with you about allowing them to be children while they are children and worked with my daughter (and still with my 16 year old son) to keep them innocent for as long as possible!
ReplyDeleteThe sexualization of little girls is one of those topics that makes the hair on the back of my neck stand with anger. My good friend NES has written a few diatribes on the subject that you might enjoy. http://noteverstill.blogspot.com/search?q=sexualization
ReplyDeleteNonnash, fabulous thank you for that link I can see already I will enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteHappyme thanks for your comments. Lol @ tryimg to squish your 20 yr old into the pinny. I wish I could squeeze into some of my daughter's clothes. Kids clothes can be so gorgeous. Designers can be so creative and fun with kidswear. I am quite conservative with my own clothing but wouldn't mind a little swirl in a cute owl pinny.
Kelly, my fellow woodpecker I love your comment and I don't think it was a babble. Those bloody Bratz dolls are hideous.
Oh and Samgoose I love that you plan to teach your children to sew. I wish we had learnt at school. I really wish I was good at sewing but I'm absolutely awful. I try but with no success!
ReplyDeleteAny sane parent would agree that kids need to look like kids. I am disturbed by little bra tops in the underwear section of department stores lately - they seriously look small enough for a 5 year old! Who would buy those?!
ReplyDeleteI disagree on the 'gorgeous playful clothes' argument though. You've totally lost me there. But hey, it's your blog, and your Tinker, so you can dress her in whatever you choose (for the moment anyway!).
Sorry I'm rambling a bit tonight P23 it's late, I shoudl probably get myself to bed already. How did I lose you? By gorgeous & playful I mean fun, pretty things that kids can play in rather than starched impractical things. My little girl loves pretty dresses, loves prints, pleats and patterns but because she is such a livewire and loves to jump and climb I need to choose practical dresses, nothing that is going to get caught on things. I learnt that the hard way when the poor Tinker got the bow sash of her gorgeous mint green handsmocked dress caught on the garden step and she took a big tumble. I felt awful.
ReplyDeleteThat dress reminds me of my favorite poem, "The Owl and the Pussycat." Kids DO have it hard today. I hate seeing some of the choices for my 8-year old. Luckily, my kids' mom is sane regarding clothing, too, so we have no halters, no short shorts, and so forth.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree, kids are being sexualized way too early! All you have to do is look at how the 10-13-year olds are dressed at Halloween... let's just say it is good they are in big groups other wise I fear for their safety. What gets me is that parents not only allow it but buy outfits like that for their kids. Anyone that has little ones sees can see their innocence and purity, why do people take that away so soon??
ReplyDeleteI completely agree as well. I LOVE dressing up my two-year-old in cute, BABY clothes. I know the trend now is to dress babies up like little adults, but I relish a good smocked dress with cute animals on it! Recently, my mother bought my daughter a pretty dress and leggings outfit. I put it on my daughter. The dress fit great, but the leggings were low-riders. WHAT?!?!?! Who makes low-rider hip-huggers for a two-year-old?!?!? Needless to say those leggings went in the trash and we got another pair for her to wear with that dress.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to find another 'rambler'. And great ramblings too. Agree with you about kids' clothes. I have an 8 year old and it's getting pretty tricky to find her clothes. Luckily she's a bit of a tomboy and loves her jeans and t-shirts. I'm over at projectforty.blogspot.com if you fancy a visit over to the rainy UK!
ReplyDeleteI love your thoughts in this post! It is so true how children are growing up faster and faster in time and now-a-days we need to let them slow down and enjoy themselves as children! What a simple way to make that statement- their clothing. Thanks for the tip. I don't have a little girl yet, but I can certainly keep this in mind for my little boys. After all, don't we as adults look back at our childhood and wish we could go back and relive it? I spend so much time in nostalgia for my childhood- why not let the kids now really be kids?
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. Why do some people seem in such a hurry to turn their innocent little girls into women so soon. Beautiful dress, by the way. Loving it.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a child my mother made me the most wonderful smocked dresses - wearing them made me feel so special! One of my favorite memories is the year she made us matching flannel nightgowns with caps for us to wear at Christmas. The clothes we wear have an enormous impact on how we feel, how we move, and how others perceive us, and parents should not take lightly the messages sent by the clothes purchased for kids in those early formative years!
ReplyDeleteIt's the same, well, actually probably worse here in the States. All I can say is thankfully I have a baby BOY!! Why don't parents understand that even from the early stages children are learning, so these little girls are going to learn to dress provocatively from the start. Don't even get me started on those high heels for babies!! Society is in a lot of trouble.
ReplyDeleteFirst may I say congrats on being a Blog Of Note!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about what appears to be catching on with children's clothing "styles" and hate to see what things are going to be like in another 20 years....I have a daughter myself, and worry myself sick about things like this of course.
I, too, am quite talkative and really do have to remind myself every now and then to tone it down and keep quiet. It is wise! (I just do most of my blabbing while blogging lol)
I will definitely visit your blog again :-)
I completely agree! I am thankful my son will not let his daughter wear a dress or skirt that shows her knees. If you raise a child with the attitude that exposing their body is cute, they will grow up exposing more.
ReplyDeleteI really agree with you. I remember as a child always wearing "children's" clothes. Now days some of the selections scare me. I do not have children yet, but trust me, they will most surely dress their age!
ReplyDeleteVery cute dress and your blog is awesome!
ReplyDeleteWe have to consider who is buying clothes for these children. Children don't purchase their clothes alone. Yes, I agree that some parents (and possibly grandparents too) dress their children in attire that is entirely too old for them.
ReplyDeleteWinnie's work is gorgeous! I love that owl dress.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you; why just last week Mia went off to her grandma's party in a tulle skirt and gumboots. Dressed head to toe in pink and red she looked pretty darn cute!
Even her hearing aids match: they are hot pink and her new ear moulds are red. She claims they look like little strawberries.
Thanks so much for the praise, I am truly flattered! Truly! Obviously you have touched on a topic close to my own heart. I take my inspiration and cues from children themselves and things that they like ie. nature & animals etc - never from adult fashion trends. I dress my own daughter in fun, often expressive clothes. Childhood is such a precious time, where kids just need to be able to be themselves (with guidelines of course!). Soon enough, they will be choosing their own clothes and one hopes they never go for the 'skanky attire' you talk about!
ReplyDeleteI have the same issue - talking to muchy and not really thinking about it before I do. Any tips on how u are controlling it?? I try and count to ten but it doesn't seem to work :(
ReplyDeleteKids are so much smarter these days as well, the amount of exposure they have to things via tv, internet, youtube. My brother amazes me daily with his vocabulary (good) and other things he seems to know about that I didn't learn about until I was much older (not so good!) ...
Adorable dress, but as a childcare worker, we would hate for you to send your child is clothes that are dressy like that. We want clothes that you don't care if paint gets on them or if they get dirty. And it is very frustrating when a parent drops their child off in precious clothes but then says "Oh, she can't play in the sand pit today". Great clothes though, may have to purchase some for my friend who gives birth in July. Thanks for the link.
ReplyDeleteMy blog feels very lonely, I write alot of nonsense [mainly because I procrastinate alot but I do have some big opinions] please have a look and tell me what you think? Would love some feedback.
http://everyonewantsthis.blogspot.com/
Thanks,
Carly.
I've ripped ruching out of the bodice and/or side seams of shirts before I've let my girls wear them. Why does a size 2T even coming with cleavage-enhancing bustlines? You and I are of the same mind on this, I think. Girlhood brings so many adventures and joys. It shouldn't bring womanhood. I'm so glad we found each other - I look forward to reading more of you!
ReplyDeleteOh Carly one of my biggest issues with childrenswear is that is MUST wash well so I won't buy anything that can't go in the washer and dryer and soak in Napisan. I don't mind what my little girl does to her clothes because I'm a bit of a sad case with washing- I like the challenge of a stubborn stain dammit. You name it I can get it out!
ReplyDeleteCarly - funny you mention that - you should see the way my daughter dresses for childcare...not at all dressy! More tracksuit pants and tees and I don't mean the juicy couture type Carolyn!
ReplyDeleteSee that's why I love cheap brands like Gymboree, because they are made for the US market where the winters can be long and snowy everything they sell can go in the tumble dryer. A lot of clothes here can't go in the dryer. I noticed with the tinker's clothes from Gymboree I can wash and dry them a hundred times and they don't look at all worn. I don't buy much Australian made stuff for that reason, most things I have bought haven't withstood the excessive washing and drying needed for a messy little bunny.
ReplyDeleteivy designs and stepforddreams - we love when children come in their trackies and just tee's and we love parents that dont care if they get paint all over them and go home with paint in their hair! i have had mums that want photos galore of their child getting up to mischief! I would hate for that gorgeous owl printed dress to get dirty though just looked so pretty!
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should give you the top I have on now - some salad dressing got on it and I cannot get it out. The boyfriend says you cant notice it but I can.
I'm not a fan of scruffy clothes for my tinker but whatever floats your boat! As for your top have you tried bicarb soda on the stain?
ReplyDeleteSlightly off topic, but not really. I don't even have any kids and this makes me want to protect mine. Ew.
ReplyDeleteEven if you are not in South Africa, and I'm not sure if this disgusting campaign is going on anywhere else, I bet you can still let Huggies know what you think of this.
Here is what Lauren says on the issue, followed by what you can do.
http://laurenbeukes.book.co.za/blog/2009/04/17/the-problem-with-slutty-waitress-baby/
I have two girls and despite my best efforts, they love everything pink and princessy. Luckily, my 10yr old is still happy to wear long floaty dresses instead of crop tops but you should have seen her face light up when she saw some illuminous yellow 1980s style high heels for her age group...NOOOO! When I tell them I used to be a tomboy they look at me like I'm some kind of strange artefact from the distant past but when I was growing up, all the girls were proud to be tomboys and there wasn't so much damn pink around. Does anyone remember Clothkit clothes? 1970s dreamy kids fashion..bring it back someone!
ReplyDeleteI like pink! It just has to be a stylish pink not an ikky Barbie pink covered in Bratz print. I will check out Lauren's link re Huggies now!
ReplyDeletemom seeks life - your wish is granted...http://www.clothkits.co.uk
ReplyDeletei noticed they came back recently!!!! love it.
We have H&M in the UK who do make really gorgeous non-barbie style clothes for children at very reasonable prices but I remember when I lived in Australia I found it really hard to buy affordable clothes for my children. I did love the stripey range of clothes but I can't remember what they were called...it was an Aussie brand with vests and babygro's and all designs in fab stripes? Anyway, love your blog stepford dreams and I have found some lovely blog links from you so thank you! I have just rediscovered my love for blogging through my sister (http://www.louloulovesbooks.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteand she found frogdancer and I found you. I love how it all links up!
Ok I just read your friend's slutty waitress baby post. I think if the ad didn't say "work it baby!" then I'd be invlined to think it was just a cute little baby being contrary with that little cheeky look on the hand on the hip. My 15 month old pulls that face. However when you read the words AND look at the picture it is totally different.
ReplyDeleteIt's such a shame a little baby can't get about in just a sweet little nappy anymore. The world is topsy turvy it is so very sad.
Love this owl dress! And...woodpeckers have their place too!!
ReplyDeleteKristin :)
http://www.HappyFlyingButtons.blogspot.com
And the really saddening fact is that it's Huggies! This not an attempt to sell a bikini top to a toddler, they are selling diapers. How much more baby than that can you get?
ReplyDeleteAgree, topsy turvy and very, very sad.
Oh I know, it is such a shame, so sad. Babies are so sweet crawling around in just a nappy but then to add a line like "work it baby!" really horrifies me.
ReplyDeleteHave you seen these? Here they have them in newborn sizes and I have seen lots of newborns wearing them. How awful-
http://www.kitsel.com/lockupyoursons1.html
You might just be turning me off having kids entirely ;o) Too much disturbing stuff in the world to interfere with my most likely already questionable parenting skills.
ReplyDeleteEven when Britney Spears wears a t-shirt that says MILF I feel sorry for her for having made a bad, BAD choice, but a poor baby who cannot choose for herself. What kind of parent buy these things?
This is definitely going on my list of ' things that people buy that should make you suspicious of them, and not want to consort with them'.
Keep bringing up the subject of 'sexualisation of children'. There are mums (and dads) out there who are completely clueless. Children should look like children i.e. dress like children and be respected.
ReplyDeletePS I'm nosy so when I saw you were 'blog of whatsit' I took a peak. Nice blog.
hnn........nice blog,you must be a great and loving mother do you??
ReplyDeleteThank you for your words on the sexualisation of children, and even young teens. My husband and I haven't started trying yet, but I'm actually terrified of having a little girl because of the way society is today.
ReplyDelete