Skinny Minnie Inspires Angst in Parents Nationwide

I hate to say it, but thank goodness we're having a boy...With a wee one on the way, right now I'm especially tuned into the absurd pressure of raising a little girl in today's supermodel-obsessed era.

Sure, mass objectification of women is nothing new. But today's fresh wave of ridiculousness comes from the controversy that's recently been swirling around none other than Minnie Mouse. (What, you didn't hear about the super-skinny makeover she got for a Barneys ad?)

Though the ad has since been modified (now she's actually got skin), Minnie's story is yet another warning amongst way too many to chronicle that we are teaching our kids the wrong lessons about health and beauty.

My hope is that, as parents of boys and girls alike, we can take each of these examples as an opportunity to remind our children that they don't need a makeover to be their awesome selves.

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