Dear Worried mom,


Finding a role model for your kids is no easy feat.  Miley Cyrus, who is supposed to be the ‘good Christian gal’ shocked parents watching The Teen Choice Awards by pole dancing to her latest single.  At no point did her parents, manager, and Teen Choice producers think the idea of dancing around like a stripper was inappropriate for children to see on TV?  How could someone allow this young girl, who so many kids look up to, prance around on stage in such an erotic manner?  I’m not sure, but it did happen, and it’s an unfortunate circumstance that you are left to explain to your children. 

There will always be a celebrities disappointing us with lewd behaviour, which is why you can’t rely on Hollywood to be role models for the youth.  The fact is you need to be your child’s role model.  Not a celebrity, whom they may never meet.  If those around them are encouraging, positive forces in their life, then they need not look to entertainers for inspiration.  Kids would mush rather have their role model close to home anyway.  It’s great for kids to see people in entertainment doing well and encouraging kids to be their best, but let’s face it, the biggest stars are those who seem to fall the hardest.  When a celebrity makes a misstep, as is the case (twice, now) with starlet Vanessa Hudgens, you need to talk to your kids about what they have done wrong and why you shouldn’t always follow their lead.  Children need to know that while they may like the movies actors are in, they should not be emulated.  Your child’s own talents and ideas need to be encouraged as well, and as often as possible.  Let your children know that people, even celebrities, make mistakes, but to focus on who they are and where they are going, without looking to entertainers for ideas.