Parent to Parent: Tween Idols

WSVN -- Tween idols can be so good at being bad. From the nude photo scandal of Vanessa Hudgens...

Alexis Whittaker: "When I heard about it, I was at my friend's house, and I was like, 'I can't believe she did this. How can she do this?'"

...to baby mama Jamie Lynn Spears, young fans can't get enough of the latest hot gossip.

Alexis Whittaker: "'Britney's teen sister Jamie Lynn Spears pregnant.' She's only 16, and then her boyfriend cheated on her."

It's enough to make a parent crazy.

Dee Ray: "These are people who kids look up to. The examples they set are not good examples because this is not the way I want to teach my children!"

Diane Whittaker is also concerned about how her daughter will react to the scandals.

Dee Ray: "I think that she's influenced by these girls but also disappointed when we're starting to see what's happening out there from Vanessa to Miley to Lindsay Lohan."

Dr. Val says don't freak when it comes to kids and scandal. Use it to open up a dialogue about bad behavior.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "This is a gift, something you may not get when they're older, so this is an important opportunity to share your ideas and listen to your child's ideas. It's very important."

Ask your child what they think about their idol's behavior. Have an in-depth discussion about right and wrong and good moral behavior. That way you can reinforce the lessons you're trying to teach.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "By the time your child is 10 years old, they're starting to get an idea of the kind of student they want to be, the kind of person, the kind of values. All of that is starting to set in."

And even though you might be tempted, never forbid your child from watching or reading about their idol, even if you don't approve.

Dr. Valerie Goode: "How else are they going to differentiate between right and wrong unless they're exposed to it?"

These friends still enjoy watching their favorite shows and movies but say their feelings about idols like Jamie Lynn have changed.

Alyssa Rey: "When I was littler and I loved her and I would always watch Zoey 101, but now I can't because I can't stand it because of what she's done."

And that's a lesson these Hollywood starlets might want to learn.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Dr. Valerie Goode
www.drvaleriegoode.com

Parenting Magazine
www.parenting.com/article/Child/Development/Tween-Idol-Scandals-Tips