If I ever meet this girl, I might have to punch her in the neck.

Laurel was singing that song.  Every summer there is one that sticks and will not escape.  Last year it was that Katy Perry's Last Friday Night. The year before another Katy Perry: California Girls (and Russell Brand went where?)  This year, it's that Carly Rae Jepson song. I swear to God, if I ever meet this girl, I might have to punch her in the neck.

It's not about the sheer insipidness of the song or the fact that she sounds like a chipmunk.  I don't like the message that it is sending to Laurel.  Granted, my tirade is also after an incident that happened yesterday.  Laurel and I went to her summer camp open house.  It was chance for her to see the place prior to the first day, meet councilors and other kids.  All of a sudden, Laurel's breath sucked in and she squeals. (I kind of thought she got stung by a bee.)  From a distance, Laurel sees Paul.  Of all the overpriced summer camps in the area, this kid is at the same one as Laurel.  (Poor kid..him, not her.)  I look at her, and at first, I think she is going to pee her pants.  I tell her to go so say hi, be friendly (but I then I secretly say "and don't act like a stalker..")  She tells me that she can't..she absolutely couldn't do anything like that.

Oh my God..then I hear those freakin' lyrics.."Here's my number..call me, maybe."  Maybe?  You give a guy your number and then you shoot yourself down?  Do you giggle with your hand in front of your mouth so he can't see your teeth, too?  Ridic!!

"Beg, borrow and steal because at first sight, it's real"  I believe in attraction..but have some pride, sister.

"Hard to look right at you baby."  Sounds like self esteem issues to me...whatever, but he is so going to take advantage of that.

Laurel did not go over and say hello and I didn't push.  I instantly want to make her know but this realization may take years.  Laurel does not understand, at six, that it is okay to own it--to believe in yourself and just say hi.  And (in many, many years) ask a guy out maybe for coffee, dinner, drinks, whatever.  I hope that I can teach her that taking command of a social situation is okay.  If she follows my footsteps, she might not  go out much if she doesn't.