Moms Talk: Abercrombie & Fitch Selling Padded Bikini Tops for Little Girls

Clothing store chain Abercrombie & Fitch has a long history of controversy.

In 2002, the company caught heat when it carried thongs in pre-teen sizes for girls. Then, in 2005, it sold t-shirts for girls with slogans like "Who needs brains when you have these?" Then in 2009, more sexually charged t-shirts popped up, including one encouraging flashing.

And this year, they've topped (pardon the pun) themselves. The company offered up the "Ashley" swimsuit for girls in sizes that fit girls as young as 7 years old. The bikini came with a padded "push-up" bikini top.

Parents' heads began exploding coast to coast.

Abercrombie & Fitch has since come to the conclusion that marketing push-up tops for the "Hannah Montana" demographic may not be a smart business move. The Ashley is still being sold, but as a "padded" instead of "push-up" top.

Maybe the controversy was their intention all along.

Either way, it provoked a reaction.

Parents, who have to deal with their kids being exposed to sexually-charged images from TV to stories about former tween queen Miley Cyrus pole-dancing at the Teen Choice Awards, now have to wonder what message a padded top sends to their daughters about sex, identity and body image.

Today, let's talk about sex, body image and children. What are your worries about the messages your daughter is getting, and internalizing? What issues does it bring up about clothes and what's appropriate? How do you try to deliver healthy messages? Do you worry what messages your son is getting about girls and women?

Joining us on Moms Talk is our fantastic Moms Council:

 is our parenting columnist. Julie, a longtime reporter and communications professional, is a first-time mom of a son born in November.

 works in healthcare. She and husband Timothy have a daughter, Amara. Monina is also a member of the Disney Moms Panel, one of 15 moms selected nationwide, advising people online about planning Disney vacations.

 is a mom of three children ages 5 and under with her husband, Bill. She also works part-time.

 is a native of New Jersey. She is a marketing professional who has worked in advertising, market research, vending and equipment companies. She and her husband live in Avon with their two children.

And a new mom has joined us!

 is a mom to a Girl Scout and lives in Avon.

So, as Linda Richman used to say on "Coffee Talk" ... Talk amongst yourselves.