An open letter from Kim Keller to her daughter following Miley Cyrus' action last weekend. I understand the letter's gone viral on the web with nothing but positive reactions...
"Dear daughter, let Miley Cyrus be a lesson to you.
Yes, this is what happens when you constantly hear everything you do is awesome. This is what happens when people fawn over your every Tweet and Instagram photo. This is what happens when no responsible adult has ever said the word no, made you change your clothes before leaving the house, or never spanked your butt for deliberate defiance.
If you ever even consider doing something like that, I promise you that I will run up and twerk so you will see how ridiculous twerking looks. I will duct tape your mouth shut so your tongue doesnt hangout like an overheated hound dog. I will smack any male whom you decide to smash against his pelvis after I first knock you on your butt for forgetting how a lady acts in public.
Why would I do that? Because I love you and I want you to respect yourself. Miley Cyrus is not edgy or cool or sexy. Shes a desperate girl screaming for attention: Notice me. Tell me Im pretty. See how hot I am. I know all the guys want me. All the girls want to be me.
You probably know girls who will emulate this behavior at the next school dance. Dont do it with them. You are far too valuable to sell yourself so cheaply. Walk away. Let the boys gawk and know in your heart that they see only a body that can be used for their pleasure and then forgotten.
Im sorry if youve ever felt sad because I havent gushed over everything youve done. My role is to praise when praise is due, but also to offer constructive criticism and correction when it is needed as well. Im sorry if youve ever felt demoralized because your Instagram following isnt in the thousands, and Im sorry those selfies can never capture how amazingly beautiful you truly are. Im sorry if youve ever wished you had a friend instead of a mom, and I promise you that I will probably get worse when you hit high school.
Dear daughter, I am going to fight or die trying to keep you from becoming like the Miley Cyruses of the world.
You can thank me later."
I was a full-time single dad after I got divorced when my daughter was 7 and my son was 2. Both my kids were raised with 'tough love' and have thanked me for it - now that they're both in their 30s.
"Dear daughter, let Miley Cyrus be a lesson to you.
Yes, this is what happens when you constantly hear everything you do is awesome. This is what happens when people fawn over your every Tweet and Instagram photo. This is what happens when no responsible adult has ever said the word no, made you change your clothes before leaving the house, or never spanked your butt for deliberate defiance.
If you ever even consider doing something like that, I promise you that I will run up and twerk so you will see how ridiculous twerking looks. I will duct tape your mouth shut so your tongue doesnt hangout like an overheated hound dog. I will smack any male whom you decide to smash against his pelvis after I first knock you on your butt for forgetting how a lady acts in public.
Why would I do that? Because I love you and I want you to respect yourself. Miley Cyrus is not edgy or cool or sexy. Shes a desperate girl screaming for attention: Notice me. Tell me Im pretty. See how hot I am. I know all the guys want me. All the girls want to be me.
You probably know girls who will emulate this behavior at the next school dance. Dont do it with them. You are far too valuable to sell yourself so cheaply. Walk away. Let the boys gawk and know in your heart that they see only a body that can be used for their pleasure and then forgotten.
Im sorry if youve ever felt sad because I havent gushed over everything youve done. My role is to praise when praise is due, but also to offer constructive criticism and correction when it is needed as well. Im sorry if youve ever felt demoralized because your Instagram following isnt in the thousands, and Im sorry those selfies can never capture how amazingly beautiful you truly are. Im sorry if youve ever wished you had a friend instead of a mom, and I promise you that I will probably get worse when you hit high school.
Dear daughter, I am going to fight or die trying to keep you from becoming like the Miley Cyruses of the world.
You can thank me later."
I was a full-time single dad after I got divorced when my daughter was 7 and my son was 2. Both my kids were raised with 'tough love' and have thanked me for it - now that they're both in their 30s.
