Q: I have a five-year-old daughter with my ex-partner and I am starting to worry about how she is dressing her. On the weekends when I see my daughter, I pick her up only to find her dressed in clothes such as skinny jeans, knee-high boots with a small heel and even make-up. I appreciate little girls want to play dress-up, but I feel this is totally inappropriate when it's starting to be done seriously. What do I do?

A: Unfortunately, it does seem to be the case that little girls are being encouraged to grow up a little too quickly, and the fact that teenage-style clothing is available in very small sizes comes as a shock to many parents. It has even been a topic of recent political debate, so you are certainly not alone in your reservations.

As with any parenting disagreement, the only sensible course of action is to sit down and discuss this. Have you asked your ex-partner why she is allowing your daughter to dress like this? It may be that she doesn't realise your objection and, at the very least, will ensure your daughter doesn't appear in this kind of clothing on the weekends she is with you.

If talking doesn't solve the problem, the only course of action left open to you is to make sure you have a small set of suitable clothing that stays at your house and doesn't go home with your daughter. A few t-shirts, trousers and a pair of trainers do not have to cost the earth, and you will at feel much less frustrated by this situation knowing that you can take your daughter home and put her into something you are comfortable with.

Additionally, it is important to make sure that your daughter understands why are you popping her into new clothing and/or removing make-up, or she may feel like she has done something wrong. So you will need to be very clear and say that Daddy prefers to see his little girl in other things like jeans and a cute top.

Ultimately, if your partner refuses to dress your daughter down, then there is little you can do other than instil your own values and parenting style while your daughter is with you; making sure that your daughter fully understands she has done nothing wrong and is always beautiful whatever she is wearing.

Do you think little girls are encouraged to grow up too quickly?