What were you doing when you were ten? Were you playing with dolls? Out in the backyard with your friends? By the time I was 10-years-old, I was far past liking dolls, preferring to ride my bike or hang out with friends. I also spent way too much time being boy crazy.

Thanks to consumerism and technological onslaught, kids today are growing up pretty darn fast. Your third grader wants a cell phone. Your 10-year-old wants to date. Her best friend is wearing belly-baring shirts and re-enacting dance moves from rap videos.

According to the linked article, "tweens" have major influence over family purchases such as cars. Hey, parents! Your 11-year-old doesn't need to tell you what you should and shouldn't be buying! Some listen to songs with questionable lyrics, see who-knows-what on TV and have too much freedom.

The article mentions how many younger children are acting like teenagers would. That makes me worry that the child will start doing other "teenage" activities, which definitely aren't appropriate for a "tween."

My daughter is two. She''ll be considered a "tween" when she's nine. That gives me seven more years to get rid of all media and outside influences out of our lives and move to a commune in the woods.