Laughable Corsetry

This weekend I stood pondering this photograph for a while in the ruins of the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church.  

OH came up behind me and said over my shoulder "and without photoshop too"

So we were both looking at the waists of the women.  They may be without photoshop but not without pain.  How thankful I am that the 2 world wars put a great thorn in the side of the corset industry and it only makes occasional fetish return - or so I thought - nope it's all the new rage thanks to our ever 'I don't care how I affect young girls' celebs with their pathetic next 'keep myself in the press' big thing.  The 'fitness waist trainer' - nope it just pushes your fat around my love.  Fitness comes from using the equipment not taking photos of yourself in perfect make-up.  FFS.

 And this is what girls aspire to look like.

Bet you can't wait until your cherub skips home and says "'mummy I want to be like that Romanian model, please can I have a corset for Christmas"

I've seen all of these girls look stunning in prom dresses but do you know I like them best when they look like this.  Not one of them wore make-up, just comfy clothes and they didn't care.  They cared about getting breakfast cooked and having a laugh.

And I like to hope that their partners of the future will also like them best when they are still confident enough to be this way because they really understand what actually matters and what is just laughable corsetry.

This week's gallery is Girls.  

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What chance does a young girl have?

On the eve of a New Year, it seems the right time to reflect on what chance a young girl has in this modern world.

What chance of her receiving a full education? What chance of her managing to escape genital mutilation?  What chance she will grow up to earn the same salary as her male counterpart?

Still wondering if we live in a modern world?

The world has come on a long way but the journey is not over.





For 2014 I promise to continue to help girls learn to find their voices, to give them the confidence to speak up and speak out.

Maybe you would like to join me.

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Girl's Top Ten Puberty Questions

Growing up and puberty is a difficult time and I think that no matter how great your relationship is with your daughter some questions are difficult for them to ask and for a parent to hear and answer.

As a mum I struggle now to remember what it was like so many years ago, it must seem like an impossible minefield for a single parenting father.

The answers to questions like "How old will my daughter be when she starts her period?", "What products should I advise her to use?" "My daughter's first period has lasted 6 weeks, is this normal?"  are a real help.

But these questions are the ones that teen girls are asking the most, have a look at the answers, they are aimed at helping parents answer the questions that most bother our daughters without them actually having to ask.

The top question is "Only one of my boobs is growing, is there something wrong with me?", have a look at the others.

I did a post before on books I have found very good in helping girls to prepare for puberty and periods.  Which is worth a look.

And I still think the Lil-lets teen starter range and starter pack is a brilliant way to introduce young girls to handling periods.  It's no use giving them adult products.  Some of you as old as me will also remember the brick in your pants feeling as you struggled on with the same type of towel as your mother used.  Leaving you uncomfortable and feeling like the world knew you had your period.

It doesn't have to be like that any more, the teen products are made for a younger, smaller body.

The Lil-lets teen starter pack is available to buy and I think it is a great way to introduce sanitary products to young girls.

*I received a free lil-lets teen kit as a prompt for this post, but I have to say I am absolutely earnest about my enthusiasm for how helpful it is as this important stage of a girl's development.

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Preparing for Periods and Girl's Puberty

Starting periods can be a scary thing to happen. Yes, the girls are told the practicals of why and how but there are all those worries about how will it actually feel, when will it happen, will everyone know...there are so many worries for young girls and this is a biggy.  These days girls are maturing younger, periods start anywhere from the age of 8, the average is 12 but it's best to be ready.

Do you know how many girls actually start their periods on residential trips?!  More than you would think!  It's really useful that they are prepared just in case.

I know there are lots of Guiders and mums with prepubescent girls that read this blog and I think this will be useful to share with you. You know I don't normally do sales, but the Lil-lets teen starter pack is a  lovely little cosmetic bag that holds :

4 Day teens ultra towels with wings
2 Night teens ultra towels with wings
2 Lite Silk Comfort compact applicator tampons
1 Regular Silk Comfort compact applicator tampon
3 Lite non-applicator tampons
Plus a small booklet with 'everything a girl should know about puberty and periods'

It's available from Boots for £3.99, either in store or on-line.

Take out the tampons and I think it is the perfect 'keep in your bag in case'. 

I think it's good for them to feel prepared and to get a chance to see and feel the products first, to be comfortable with it.   I couldn't imagine a first timer having the courage to use tampons but isn't it good that they actually get to see them and know what they are like.

I think it's an excellent idea for young girls to have their own but I also think it's a cool piece of kit for a Guide (and Brownie) first aid kit, I recommend you Guiders request a free sample from lil-lets.

Whilst we are talking about preparing for periods, I also recommend 2 books to help:

Girls Only! All about Periods and Growing up stuff by Victoria Parker
I have bought a number of these types of books, read them and didn't give them to my daughter as they seemed "wrong". This one was pitched perfectly when she was 10. There was enough information but not too much. It is based around periods, hormones, spots and body changes. It touches on sex but not in detail and it satisfied her light curiosity without me needing to move onto "the talk". She savoured what was in it and felt happy and confident about it all. She even loaned it to friends. The font is good, the text has a modern chatty feel, it is a good book for girls aged 9-12.

Are you there God it's me Margaret by Judy Blume
This book helped me through a difficult time when I was growing up. I bought a copy for my niece about 10 years ago and then gave a copy to my daughter when she was about 9 (suitable for ages 9-11ish). After she finished it we went bra shopping! (Please don't tell her I told you that.) It voices those 'how, what, when' feelings perfectly, lets young girls know they are not alone in how they feel.  It is another one that did the rounds of all my daughter's school friends.  It was so worn in the end I had to buy a second copy.

And if you want to start an early conversation about sex without having to get all nitty-gritty this is a great book for girls and boys and parents to guide you through the conversation.  The cartoon nudity makes the awkward seem easy and natural, it's factual but gentle and funny.

Good Luck!

*I received a free lil-lets teen kit as a prompt for this post, if you want one just follow the link!

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