I’m sure everyone  interested in little ones will have noticed the press coverage recently about parents who dress their children as adults and little girls learning pole dancing and the like.  This is something I do feel strongly about and believe that kids are kids and they should look like kids for as long as possible.  Childhood is short enough these days .

In a survey by Parents magazine  an overwhelming 99 percent of parents reported that it’s important for their kids to dress in age-appropriate clothing. Half of parents (49 percent) said they were concerned about their kids’ style being influenced by images they see in the media.

I am always really interested to hear what parent thinks about these issues.  The parents I speak to in Bebe Jour say  “They want to wear what’s is in the media,” which sometimes means it is difficult to find stylish clothes that are not like adults clothes.  One Mum told that when  her daughter wears  short dresses,  she  always adds leggings, because, “You never know what someone is thinking of your daughter’s legs….there are so many perverted people in this world.”

Making sure kids dress appropriately for their age isn’t the only important goal. Ninety-two percent said it was important for kids to enjoy their childhood. Nearly three-quarters of parents (71 percent) said they feel that many kids are trying to grow up too fast. More than half (55 percent) reported that they talk to their kids about the importance of being a kid. A staggering 92 percent felt it was important that kids act appropriately for their age, a stark contrast to the 3 percent who thought kids should act older than they are.

The survey found that quality really matters for childrens clothes shopping and Parents are looking to maximize  budgets this year by shopping for quality items that last — and they’re willing to spend more to get them. In fact, more than half (54 percent) reported that they care more about purchasing quality items this year than in years past. When asked why, 72 percent reported that higher quality items offer better value by making their moneys go further. Half of respondents (51 percent) said their budget is strained from other aspects, like higher gas prices.

Fortunately finding age appropriate clothing for those under 6 years is not such an issue.  Clothes at Bebe Jour are about having fun being a child while wearing good quality well designed products.  We like little boys and girls to look like little boys and girls and whether or not they are wearing playsets or tea dresses to always be comfortable and look good.

The new ranges Katie has chosen for Autumn and Winter are fabulous and all entirely age appropriate.  Be sure to check out these gorgeous new pieces on our website or on a visit to our shop in Hastings by the beach!

It’s taken me all week to get back into my normal mummy/work routine after the fun of the Royal Wedding/May Day festivities! My daughter had such a great time too, especially at the medieval day, which was the afternoon of the royal wedding. She dressed up in her Cinderella costume and I found something vaguely princess like in my wardrobe so we both felt like royalty for the day! There was great entertainment laid on which included a children’s disco and fancy dress competition, a procession and sword fighting knights. If that wasn’t enough excitement for one weekend there was only a day to relax before the Jack in the Green festival started. The May Day bank holiday is probably the busiest weekend of the year in Hastings, and this year didn’t disappoint. Thousands of pagans, morris dancers and bikers descend on Hastings and it made such a great difference this year that the weather was so good. The highlight of the festival is the procession that takes place on the morning of the Monday bank holiday. This year was definitely the best that I have ever seen.

It made such a difference to have such great weather, as it’s usually raining every May Day! My customers has been buying all of the lovely summery outfits in the shop too. The gorgeous Belle and Boo parade dress and shorts and blouse outfit have been very popular as has the Oobi Baby summer dresses and as ever the ‘Lock Up Your Daughters’ t-shirt by no added sugar is still as popular as the long sleeved version I had last season.

March has seen the start of all of the fun festivals happening here in Hastings Old Town. The Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras was at the beginning of the month, which has only been running for two years but it was a great day out for children, and the parents enjoyed themselves too watching all of the live music in the bars and restaurants around Old Town.

The festivals are one of the things that I love the most about living in Hastings. Between now and Christmas there is something fun going on nearly every month and lots of chances to dress up in fancy dress costumes! I am particularly looking for to ‘Medieval Day’ which is running on the afternoon of the day of the Royal Wedding. There’s going to be knight sword fights, a parade and lots of people dressed up as ‘Guinevere’ or ‘King Harold’. My daughter is just coming to the age when she can really take part and enjoy all of the different events with her little friends. Luckily she loves dressing up too (obviously takes after her Mother!).Things have been very busy in the shop too with the arrival of all of the Spring/Summer collections from my best selling brands from the last two seasons which are ‘No Added Sugar’, ‘Bonnie Baby’,'Oobi Baby and Kids’ and ‘Hatley’. I love all of the bright colours and prints that the Designers use for their summer collections, and it has all had a great reaction from my customers. And with even more stock on it’s way from fab Designers Toby Tiger and Belle and Boo it’s shaping up to be a great summer season.

I don’t know about you, but I am only just starting to feel back to normal after the Christmas and New Year festivities. Much fun was had by my daughter and she got thoroughly spoilt, it was very well deserved though as she has been such a good girl this year – despite turning two in November!!

I am pleased to be resuming my ‘Free on Friday’ competition and this week we will be giving away a pair of lovely Toby Tiger Blue Star Wellies. All you have to do to enter the competition is follow me on twitter (http://twitter.com/#!/BebeJour) and tweet ‘@BebeJour http://bit.ly/cVp0pq‘ or like me on facebook (http://on.fb.me/alqYlB) and write on my wall ‘I love puddles’. Below is a pic of the wellies that you could win.

Good luck!!

Lovely Olive and Moss ‘Collette the Cow’ bib and hat set can be won in this weeks competition. All you have to do to enter is follow me on twitter and tweet this blog post, or like me on facebook (http://on.fb.me/alqYlB) and write on my wall “Collette the Cow says MOOO!”. The bib and hat set come in a gift box and is age 6-12 months.

I will be posting the prize out on Monday afternoon so it will get to you before Christmas. Good luck everyone!

Is it just me or are the weeks literally whizzing by?! I can hardly believe that Christmas is less than 3 weeks away !!

In this weeks competition we are giving away a lovely handmade in Hastings Jackomettii Spaghettii Bandandy. The lucky winner can chose from any of the Bandandy’s that are on the website http://bit.ly/eD1dOQ. All you have to do to enter is the competition is retweet this blog post, or ‘Like’ us on facebook http://on.fb.me/fuirZG and write on our wall ‘I Love….’ and then write the name of your favourite Bandandy.  The pics below show some festive designs, but there are lots to chose from

Good Luck!!

This is the last week that our lovely customers can use the REINDEER discount code on the website to get a 15% discount on everything on the site except for the silver fingerprint jewellery. When it’s a cold as it is at the moment online shopping is the only way to go!