My 8yr old in Vegas

I am taking a quick break from the midst of my rant (yes I am working on it, will post more later on)to tell you why my daughter at age 8 never needed to be in Vegas. I know a lot of people love Las vegas nv for family vacations.....but I am not one of them.

Two years ago Rebecca had a cheer coach who had talked almost all of the parents on the squad that this would be a great final competition destination. I tried to convince everyone that it was a ploy by the coach to get a free trip to Vegas....and coincidentally he was a huge NASCAR fan and they were racing there the same weekend (nothing fishy about that right). Well I was outvoted...and part of a team so off to Vegas she and I went. Here are two opportunities that were complete gems of mother sharing on that trip....along with an obligatory Elvis photo op.

I did get the incredible opportunity to explain the best I could to an eight year old about prostitution because she ended up picking up those "cards" from the bushes in front of Cesar's Palace. Not every mom gets those joyous mother daughter moments of explaining why half naked women want their pictures and phone numbers on what look like baseball cards.

The next gem on my trip down the strip....a stunningly beautiful showgirl takes one look at Rebecca (who also stared in awe at this woman half dressed in glorious yellow feathers and sequins) and says...."Aren't you adorable...you know I used to be a cheerleader too just like you." I promptly dragged my child away and reminded her that she has a brain that will get her much farther than posing on a street in feathers.

The following year I refused to let Rebecca be on a cheer squad that was even contemplating Vegas as a destination....and thank goodness now she has a coach who is all about wholesome Disney.