Group Therapy: 12-Year-Old Daughter Wants Bikini, Dad Says ‘No’

Author Mike O'Brian

June 18th 10:55 AM

Dad talking to his young daughter about a bikini.

It’s summer time in Las Vegas, and it’s getting hot. Kids are spending a lot of time at the pool. In Group Therapy this morning, a 12- year-old wants to buy a bikini and Dad says “NO!” So, what do you tell this dad?

That was the email sent into The Mike & Carla Morning Show, and the phone lines blew up! Dad said “no,” but Mom is saying “why not?” Dad’s argument is that the 12-year-old girl looks 17 or 18-years-old, and that’s problem.

That begs the question, at what age do you let your daughter get a “bikini?” We were surprised to hear from a lot of moms on this — and not so many dads. Of course, Mike O’Brian being the father of two daughters had his own thoughts on this!

12-Year-Old Girl Wants A Bikini, But Dad Says ‘No’

Now Quora ran this question as well, and it was shocking to see how many dads were okay with the whole bikini thing. We’re talking about daughters at the age of 10 and up.

As far as the moms that dialed into the show this morning, many of them didn’t see this as a problem. However, they did mentioned that it had to be a bikini that was age “appropriate.” Maybe a better term might have been “two piece” to ease dad’s fears.

Even Mike O’Brian agreed with that. . . Although on one trip to Hawaii, his youngest daughter went with the two piece. Only being about 15-16, even at that age Mike had a problem with it.

Mike did point out that his daughters will also be his little girls and even age can’t change that. So as a father, it’s hard to accept that your daughters are growing up so fast!

But if you need to get an ear full, take a couple of minutes, listen to the segment and see what you think. . .and enjoy!

Mike O’Brian is the Program Director and Morning Show host on 96.3 KKLZ in Las Vegas, along with Carla Rea. He has been with the Beasley Media Group for almost 23 years. Mike was named one of the “Best Program Directors In America” by Radio Ink magazine. Over the years, “The Mike & Carla Morning Show” have been presented with a number of proclamations for their work in the community and numerous awards. Having lived in Las Vegas for over 35 years, he writes articles on living in Las Vegas, sports, and odd stories happening within the state of Nevada. Mike is the host of the morning show and program director of 96.3 KKLZ/Las Vegas. He has been doing mornings in Las Vegas for the past 38 years. Over the years, he has hosted a numerous amount of community events and has been the P.A. announcer for a number of sports teams in Las Vegas. He has written on living in Las Vegas, the sports teams here, as well as odd & little-known facts about Las Vegas & Nevada.

Most Common Summer Illnesses and How to Avoid Them

When people think of the months when they usually get sick, it’s usually the winter months. But, don’t be fooled. Summer illnesses are a real thing, and sometimes, they can hit harder than the winter ones. So, what are some common illnesses people get in the summer, and how do you avoid them?

Summer vs. Winter

First, let’s talk about the whole summer vs. winter debate. As it turns out, yes, people do tend to get sick in the winter more than the summer. That said, a summer illness can be just as severe as one you’d get in the winter. One reason people tend to get sick more in the winter is because everyone is cooped up indoors. According to Atlantichealth.org, “While this may keep you warm, it also increases your exposure to germs because enclosed spaces offer different circulation and ventilation than being outdoors. If there’s a virus in the air, you have a higher chance of catching it.” In addition, the winter months are colder, obviously, and that coldness could hit your immune response, especially inside your nose.

So, in the winter months, respiratory illnesses like COVID-19 and RSV are much more prominent. Then, in the summer, there are still summer illnesses and viruses out there, but they tend to be different viruses. “Generally speaking, summer and winter colds are caused by different viruses,” Dr. Michael Pichichero, a pediatrician and infectious disease researcher at the Rochester General Hospital Research Institute in New York, told Newsinhealth.nih.gov. “When you talk about summer colds, you’re probably talking about a non-polio enterovirus infection.”

Allergies or a cold?

It’s worth noting that in the summer months, a cold can be mistaken for allergies, and the opposite. “Summer colds can be mistaken for allergies due to prolonged symptoms,” Centracare.adventhealth.com. “Because of the this, we may neglect to rest and properly medicate ourselves.” So, how do you tell if it’s a cold or allergy? There are a few ways you can try to find out. Centracare.adventhealth.com notes that one major difference is that having aches and feeling achy usually means you have a cold, as allergies won’t cause those kind of pains. Also, having a fever is more associated with being sick, as having allergies shouldn’t cause a high temperature. Also, allergies tend to last a long time, whereas a cold should get better sooner. Obviously, check with your doctor if you aren’t feeling well and aren’t sure if it’s a cold or allergies. Now, let’s get into the most common summer illnesses and how to avoid them.

Most Common Summer Illnesses:

1. Lyme Disease
Lyme Disease is a big one in the summer. Lyme disease is transmitted through tick bites, which are often living in areas with tall grass or the woods. Some common symptoms include fever, fatigue, headache and a bullseye rash. To help avoid getting tick bites, try to avoid areas with tall grass and wooded areas; wear long sleeves and pants outside; use insect repellent; and look for ticks on your skin and remove them if you find them.
Food Poisoning
Food poisoning is super prevalent in the summer. Just think about it. If you go to a picnic, chances are, that potato salad is going to be left out in the sun a long time. So, beware what you eat at outdoor events. Also, be clean with how you handle food, cook food thoroughly, wash your hands when handling food and don’t have perishable foods unrefrigerated for too long.
Dehydration
Dehydration can really be serous. It sounds like no big deal, but severe dehydration can actually lead to death. Don’t freak out too much, though. Severe dehydration usually happens if you are vomiting or have diarrhea for an extended time. In the summer months, however, being outside in the hot sun for too long and not drinking enough can lead to dehydration. Drink plenty of water. If you’re working out, sports drinks are a good choice, too.
Colds
You don’t just get a cold when it’s cold out. “Some viruses and other bacteria thrive under the extreme heat of the sun, thus increasing your risk of infection,” notes unilab.com.ph. To avoid spreading it, “Always cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and dispose your tissues in the right receptacle.”
Flu
The flu often ticks up in the winter, but it’s around in the summer, too. Often times, if people are traveling and in close areas, the flu virus can spread. To avoid it, the CDC suggests to get vaccinated, practice good hand hygiene and avoid close contact with sick people.

Getty Images / Paul-Bradbury
Enterovirus
Enterovirus is commonly called the “summer flu.” It can cause fever, coughing, runny nose and nausea. It can also cause a rash, like with hand-foot-and-mouth disease. To prevent it, as always, good hygiene is key.

Getty Images / Dr_Microbe
More tips to avoid getting sick
“Frequent hand washing and avoiding exposure to people who are sick with fever can help prevent the spread of infection,” Dr. Michael Pichichero, a pediatrician and infectious disease researcher at the Rochester General Hospital Research Institute in New York, tells Newsinhealth.nih.gov. Dr. Pichichero adds that the best way to avoid getting sick is to block viral transmission. You can get sick by coming into direct contact with an infected person’s respiratory secretions, such as saliva or mucus, so the frequent hand washing really helps. Also, protect yourself from the sun and beware of picnics where food that’s left out in the sun can go bad.