| Parents of daughters have always been concerned | | | | interested in carrying the latest bag Paris was spotted |
| about who and what their daughters see as they | | | | with? Does she seem to want to follow in her |
| grow up. These parents wonder if their children will | | | | mother's footsteps? The person leading your child may |
| manage to survive the preteen and adolescent years | | | | not be the best role model. |
| without getting caught up with the wrong crowd, | | | | Quality role models like Miley Cyrus are harder to find, |
| hurting her reputation with any wild or crazy antics, and | | | | but they are out there. Discourage interest in young |
| most importantly by simply staying true to herself and | | | | stars that seem to have a hard time holding it together |
| her upbringing. | | | | or who encourage wild partying and other activities |
| Fortunately, there are easy ways to tell if your child is | | | | you'd be uncomfortable with your own daughter |
| on the right track. | | | | participating in. Discreetly help her find someone to |
| 1. Her Friends | | | | copy who is more palatable. |
| One of the most obvious ways to check up on your | | | | 4. Her Grades |
| daughter is to see what sort of friends she has. If her | | | | The age old stereotype of girls not being as bright in |
| friends show a rather disturbing lack of control or a | | | | school is still alive and well. Dumb and ditzy seems to |
| vocabulary fraught with terms you had hoped your | | | | get boys on television and movies, so your daughter |
| child would never hear, there may be a problem. | | | | may be buying into that myth. If her grades are slipping |
| Hanging around with lots of different people is just as | | | | it might be something as simple as needing a tutor in |
| typical as a tight group of girlfriends, but see who | | | | math (which you should provide, but you might avoid |
| exactly your daughter spends most of her time with | | | | letting her pick her own if he is under the age of fifty) |
| and then very discreetly check up on them and their | | | | or it could be a symptom of something much more |
| parents. Peer pressure is rampart at this age, so it's | | | | serious. It is worth investigating, regardless. |
| crucial that you be playing with all the knowledge you | | | | 5. Her Clothing |
| can. | | | | It may seem trivial, but if your daughter is dressing up |
| 2. Her Shows | | | | more like a club regular than a preteen school girl, you |
| Some shows will be popular with teens and preteens | | | | need to step in. Fashion is very important to young |
| regardless of content. However, you as the parent | | | | ladies, but certain fashions are simply not appropriate |
| should be monitoring what exactly she is watching and | | | | for school or girls under the age of eighteen. The |
| what message she is getting out of it. Is your ten year | | | | wrong clothing can send and reinforce the wrong |
| old more tuned into Desperate Housewives than Miley | | | | message. When shopping look for fashionable yet age |
| Cyrus? If so, perhaps you need to invest in blocking | | | | appropriate outfits like the clothing worn by the Olsen |
| software or at the very least watch some episodes | | | | twins or Miley Cyrus. |
| together to see exactly what messages your | | | | Above all, just remember, that all of the signs above |
| offspring may be receiving. | | | | may be pointing one way, when your daughter is |
| 3. Her Heroes | | | | heading another. Very little is permanent or long lasting |
| We all look up to someone, even if we do it | | | | at her age, so do all you can to help guide her in the |
| unconsciously. Who is your daughter most interested | | | | right direction, then sit back and enjoy the ride. |
| in? Does she try to dress like her friends? Is she | | | | |