Saturday, June 4, 2011

Training Our Little Girl To Be Modest

Its been more than a year since my last post. Anyway some updates, Heavenne and I are back in Jeddah since November 2010 and we're expecting a baby boy soon, we found it out Dec. 27 - and considers it as the best gift of 2010 to our family. Although Hevyn is telling she really wants a baby sister,with a serious face, she has now accepted the fact that its a boy unlike before when she would sob every time we explain to her its a boy and not a girl.

She's a grown up girl now, we think she is, and she always surprises us with her humor and thoughts. Training and teaching her is becoming a real challenge now that she's learned to reason out. Most of the time she wants to do things herself, this is what we often hear from her, "I can do it by myself". Yes, she does most of the things by herself now, she wants to take a bath alone and wash herself; change her own clothes countless times a day; and use the computer, she even claims that the laptop is hers since the time she asked Kenji if she could have it, who noded and said yes because he didn't thought that her daughter is asking it seriously.

Few nights ago, we decided that we need to take a walk outside and Heavenne dressed up, as usual she picked her own dress. Kenji noticed that the dress is cute but too sexy, which I thought would be just fine because it's really humid outside. While the little girl is looking at herself in the mirror, posing this way and that which is cute for a little girl. The father decided we need to talk to the little girl and ask her to put something that would cover her back and arms and its not too early to teach a child how to dress modestly- and I agree with him. Thumbs up daddy!


I wonder what happened to the fashion now. Most girls would take modesty as old fashion. I highly respect those girls who could keep their way of clothing modest and still be fashionable. The way we dress up outside does reflect on our virtue and our values as an individual. When we watched the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William, I noticed and adored how the royal family has preserved the elegance and modesty when it comes to fashion. That's the fashion that many women forgot as they cling to fads. I don't think the world needs to dictate what is beautiful based on how much we reveal our bodies. The high cost of textiles nowadays might also be the reason, but the value of each square inch on our body is worth covering too, and far more expensive than what you will spend on every yard of textile. Beauty is within every woman, it is in the way she conducts herself around people, it is in the words that comes out of her mouth, it is in her pure thoughts, and in the skills and talents she strive to develop, and it is on how she considers her body as a temple of God, how she treats it with respect and take care of her health. The way we dress sends a message to the world how much we value ourself, and our body. The rich and wise man doesn't flaunt with his treasures as he walk down the street, else he'll end up being robbed by it.

“Prophets of God have always counseled His children to dress modestly. The way you dress is a reflection of what you are on the inside. Your dress and grooming send messages about you to others and influence the way you and others act. When you are well groomed and modestly dressed, you invite the companionship of the Spirit and can exercise a good influence on those around you. …

“Immodest clothing includes short shorts and skirts, tight clothing, shirts that do not cover the stomach, and other revealing attire. Young women should wear clothing that covers the shoulder and avoid clothing that is low-cut in the front or the back or revealing in any other manner. Young men should also maintain modesty in their appearance. All should avoid extremes in clothing, appearance, and hairstyle. Always be neat and clean and avoid being sloppy or inappropriately casual in dress, grooming, and manners. Ask yourself, ‘Would I feel comfortable with my appearance if I were in the Lord’s presence?’ ”
For the Strength of Youth (pamphlet, 2001), 14–16.


This song about virtue sang by Jenny Phillips is for our daughter, I hope you will find your way on it, and find your own way being beautiful.