Touche'

This is a picture of Kennedy holding our dear friends' baby, Zoe. Zoe was a preemie so she hasn't been allowed out or around children until recently. As you can see, Kenna was loving having a real baby to hold. Speaking of babies, the following is further proof that Kennedy isn't one anymore. *sniff*
So, Kenna's backpack totally busted open a week or so ago. Not the type of tear that can be patched up or I assure you I would have tried just so the bag would make it through this year. But alas, it's a goner. So on Monday I took all three children with me to the store on a hunt for a back pack. Kennedy liked several backpacks pointing first to one with the Disney princesses on it, then one with a My Little Pony on it, and then one with....brace yourselves....the Bratz dolls on it.

I told her 'No way' were we getting that backpack and when she asked why not I thought, "Um gee, let's see. If I wanted my young impressionable daughter to think that looking sexy was important at 5, or that getting Collagen injected into your lips is necessary to be cool, or that you need to keep your years supply of make up on your face, then these little tarts would be the perfect role models!" But as I tried to pick just one reason, Modesty was the answer that came out first. She has been very aware of this lately so I thought my reason might be reason enough. And for a few minutes it was.
Then on the relatively silent drive home Kennedy asks, "Mom, why didn't you want me to have that one backpack?" I answered again that it was because they were dressed immodestly and she pauses and then says, "But Mom, you said we shouldn't not like someone because of how they dress." Yikes...she has a point there. Look at her using my words against me! Already! But she was being sincere so I was more just shocked that she had connected the issues (and somehow, I hadn't). I told her she was right, that we don't just judge people because of how they wear their clothes. Then I tried explaining more that the dolls were not good examples for many reasons and Dad and I had long ago decided we didn't want our children playing with them. How should I have answered her? Any ideas? Input? I always come away from important conversations feeling like I didn't do that hot...and also irritated that it always happens when Nathan isn't around because of course, he always knows how to explain things...