DD too young for Libby Lu?

[justmandy]

Does anyone think 6 is too young for a Libby Lu makeover party? (click here if oyu're unfamiliar) I feel like it represents so much of what I don't want for my sweet DD and what I hate about "beauty" in general.

Am I being over the top? Is it just innocent fun with her freinds? I'm not too strict, she has play makeup and loves to pretend to be a rock star, I just want her to be a "follow your heart" rock star, not a "follow the crowd" groupie...

My best friend (the mom of dd's best friends) is thinking about having a birthday party there it pretty much hinges on whether or not I"ll allow dd to go...

[Momily]

I have really mixed feelings about this:

On one hand, I don't think the issue with Libby Lu is one of being too young -- even as a teenager this isn't something I'd want my child buying in to. On the other hand, I do think at 6 a child is old enough to go somewhere with another family for a one time event, have fun, and still come back to their family's values.

I had a very similar situation with DS(7) this year. His very best friend's mom asked if he would come to a birthday party at Laser Tag. If I said no they would have found another venue. Now we are a no weapons house, DS knows that and understands that and doesn't even ask, so I think he was suprised when I said "Yes". We had a talk about why I have the rules I do, and that I felt that at 7 he was old enough to go to the party, have fun, and still remember our family values.

I've done this other times, allowing him to participate in things with other families that we'd never choose for ourselves -- last week he went to Sunday School with one of his friends, because they were going to a basketball game afterwards and wouldn't have time to come get him in between. He knew that this particular Sunday School doesn't teach the same things I believe, but that I trust him to go and listen and come to his own conclusions.

So, I'd vote for letting her go, but having a conversation before and after to reinforce your own values relative to Libby Lu (not in a way that's judgemental of the other family though).

[hhurd]

Yes, I think 6 is way too young for a organized makeover party at a place like Libby Lu, which I admit creeps me out. I don't think it will scar her for life, but it seems you have some pull here, and if I were you I'd say no.

[philomom]

Jeez, no childhood for your kid? She has to be grown up and glamourous already?

No, not in a million years.

[marnie]

i think Momily's answer is kind and respectful to your child and her friend/friend's family.

[justmandy]

yeah, philomom, I tend to keep her more sheltered then most parents. I'm just trying to hear more sides, I have been known to cling to a cause without looking at the situation as a whole.

The whole thing is really unsettling though, especially the preformance at the end...ugh...

[Kirsten]

My girls (10, 6 and 3) haven't been to Libby Lu yet - only because no one we know has hosted a party there, but the older two would love to go. We've seen kids after going there - with fancy hairdos with braids and bows. It was cute and not over the top (that I've seen). I think it is one hour out of the year - I'd let her go.

I also really feel strongly that it would be unfair to change the venue of someone else's birthday party - even if you are close friends. If that is what this little girl wants, and her mom is ok with it - then I don't think it is right to use your pull (even if she offers) to change it. You let your dd go or not, but let the birthday girl have her choice of birthday parties. JMHO.

[mimim]

No way. That place is totally creepy.

[mata]

My personal take-I like the concept of teaching girls about adornment that *they* are drawn to as a means of self-expression-but not in the context of a "makeover" (which implies something is flawed and needs to be fixed.) Having said that, I would still let my dd go-one or two hours at an event like that will not undo the guidance she's gotten at home, and I do believe it is respectful to honor the birthday child and her relationship w/her friend, regardless what her taste might be.

[mama2mygirl]

No, I wouldn't.
I don't think the styles are little girl like at all. It's not even grown-up--it's beauty queen.
If your friend is totally willing to have the party elsewhere, I'd go for that. She's asking and if you don't feel comfortable with your dd going there, then I'd just say that.

[Marcee]

I Would Let Savara (my Dd) Go If She Were Older And We Had One Near. I Was Allowed "fun" Days Like That But Knew That It Was For Fun And Not For Everyday. For Example When In Ballet At Age 5 For Recietals We Got To Wear Make-up Which Was A "no-no" For Me Till Age 16. But My Mom Made Exceptions For Things Such As This.

[srain]

If you have the opportunity to prevent anyone from giving money to that place, take it.

[Progressive_Mom]

Wow, I just looked at the website and that was enough to creep me out! That being said ... I did glamour shots with a friend in HS and I am still respectful of my body and natural beauty

[Brigianna]

Dd1 (7) would have little interest in that, but I don't think 6 is too young. Many girls younger than 6 like to dress up and play with makeup; Libby Lu is more like that. It isn't a "real" makeover.

[lindberg99]

Originally Posted by SuperMandy

My best friend (the mom of dd's best friends) is thinking about having a birthday party there it pretty much hinges on whether or not I"ll allow dd to go...

This just strikes me as odd. She is only going to have a party there for HER dd if YOUR dd will go? Isn't that putting a bit of pressure on you? I think she should decide what she wants to do for her dd's birthday, not decide based on what someone else wants to do.

[jkpmomtoboys]

Here 6 is almost too old for Libby Lu. The kids start there much, much younger...

[Momily]

Originally Posted by lindberg99

This just strikes me as odd. She is only going to have a party there for HER dd if YOUR dd will go? Isn't that putting a bit of pressure on you? I think she should decide what she wants to do for her dd's birthday, not decide based on what someone else wants to do.

I'm curious why you think that's odd. My son has a best friend -- they've been best friends since they were 3 (now 7) play together several times a week after school, sleep at each other's homes on weekends, call each other every day (despite the fact that they're in the same class) etc . . . My son would be devastated if this child weren't at his birthday party. So, yes, I check with the parents before I schedule -- is the date OK, do they feel OK with the location (we're doing a party at an indoor waterpark, some families might not feel comfortable with that), as I posted above, they do the same for me.

Frankly, if my child's choices were a big fancy party with everyone but this one kid, or cake and ice cream at home with just J I know he'd choose the latter -- the two are inseparable.

[angela&avery]

Id let her go. My dd went to a place like that and she ahd a ball. It was for one hour for one day of her life and she actually doesnt even talk about it that much. I think that the way we live every day has more bearing than one hour of dressing up, funky hair and makeup. (Btw she picked a blue outfit with punk rock pink hair. It was hilarious and so her. she loves to dress up, I thought it was great for her).

[justmandy]

Well every post here is exactly how I feel :

DH and I have decided to go out to the mall w/o dd and check it out in person. We're leaning toward letting her go and having talks about how it's like halloween, she gets that.

I apriciate my friend asking if we would go. It's a very small party 4 girls all together. Both me and the other mom (party friend has 2 dds) are on the fence. Everyone in our group asks for everyone else's input before scheduling something like a birthday party. Our kids all love eachother so much that it would be really hard (and noticable) if someone was missing out.

I feel like I'll be able to say for sure after going in and talking to someone. I hope I get to see a preformance b/c that bothers me more then anything.

[DoulaClara]

Mandy, the performance part creeps me out a bit, too. The makeup and dress-up play is no sweat for me- but to end it with a performance almost makes it seem like the girls are doing it to perform for others, not to play with and have fun with their appearance. I always cringe when I walk past a Libby Lu performance in the mall, because it's pretty public, and anyone can see.

Tough decision... I think it's awesome that you're going to scope out the scene beforehand with your DH.

Clara