Where does their childhood go?

First let me offer my sincere apologies. I have not been blogging regularly, but hang in there I have two really good excuses. First, does it matter that I have been fighting Bronchitis since the last week of October? Secondly, I too am susceptible to writers/blogger's block. If this was a blog about politics I would NEVER run out of something to say. If this was a blog about how your favorite football team has a fall from grace I would NEVER run out of something to say. Therefore I have strict rules about this blog and sticking to my abstinence agenda, I just worry sometimes that I am repeating myself. Never fear inspiration is here!
Over the holiday, I had the opportunity to attend my daughter, Natalie's Thanksgiving feast. Here I watched a room of beautiful 3 and 4 year olds sing songs of Thanksgiving and its many traditions. I thought to myself, " Where does it go? How are they innocent today and much too grown up in just a few short years? How does this happen?" My first thought was trying target the age that this seems to happen. Since I live with a 3 year old and a 6 year old I can safely say that it has not gone yet. But I will reiterate that I watch what they are subjected to. I have mentioned before that the tv stays on Noggin or movies that I approve of. (No, I am not a prude who doesn't watch trashy tv, it is just all the shows that I find a guilty pleasure in like: Desperate Housewives and Grey's ANatomy I record on my DVR and watch after they are in bed)
So innocent at 6--check! SO where is it? I am pretty sure it starts slipping away before 6th grade so what happens between 1st and 6th that rips the childhood right from under their feet?
I have determined there are outside factors involved: TV, movies, music and let's not forget their peers. How do we as parents stop this train? First of all we need to stay involved. What are they watching? Are you aware that Sex in the City( again, not judging) is on at 5pm on Sats? Are you blocking this show with parental controls? Have you picked up their ipod to hear what they are listening too? What about the movie they are going to see? Do you know what it is rated, or the content? And probably most importantly, who are their friends, who are their Friend's parents? Do they share your beliefs and values?
No one said raising these kids was going to be easy. I don't know about you, but I want my kids to have what I had. A childhood of riding bikes around the neighborhood with my best friend. (shout out Laura) A high school career of innocent crushes and making of life long friends. A college career of fun and more great friends, oh and a first love. All of this allowed me to grow at a slow rate and take in life experiences along the way. I was not facing adult consequences from adult decisions in my teens. And now I have a wonderful healthy relationship with my husband as a grown-up. I didn't rush my youth or my innocence and now we get to have a blast growing together.
Our kids don't know to be angry at the ripping away of their childhood. It is up to us to be angry for all of them and to fight like hell for them to keep their innocence and youth. By waging this war and winning it we may not change society. But we sure can protect what is coming in and out of our immediate environment and maybe, just maybe win the war in our own house!