Mom Talk: How Young is Too Young?

This week, we talk about the release late last month of padded bikini tops for 7-year-olds by retailer Abercrombie & Fitch.

This just spurred on the conversation of what message retailers and television, magazines and pop stars are sending to our children.

"This is so scary. I actually heard on the radio today that a woman gave Botox to her 8-year old. What kind of message does she think she's sending to her daughter! And what kind of doctor would actually do it?

"My own 6-year old just started telling me that she has fat legs. It's absolutely insane. I know that I don't say that about myself, but she must be picking it up from somewhere.

"So sad—and so hard as a parent to reassure her about her body image in a convincing way. It seems like I get the eye roll every 15 minutes these days."

—Anne-Michelle Francis, owner of Ohana Board Shop

"I completely understand, Anne-Michelle, and I don't think it's just girls anymore.

"My son actually started crying the other day when I tried to get him into his 'bubble' jacket, because it's the warmest one he owns, and it was kind of chilly with the rain.

"He told me he didn't like that one, because it made him look 'fat'! We don't talk about this kind of stuff at home, because I never thought it an issue, but apparently he, too, is picking it up from somewhere."

—Mayra Flores De Marcotte, editor