Inspiring Daughters

Tammi Roy, with daughterInspiring Daughters, How do you do it?

In the last year I have really put a lot of deep thought into what it’s like raising daughters. Up until then it was days filled with princess dress-up and twirling in the living room. Yet as my oldest grows older I see more and more how important it is to raise daughters into young women. Sure, it’s still great to dance in the kitchen and put pretties in our hair – but above all, I want 3 daughters who are strong and capable of anything {or willing to try anything to become the best that they can be}. I think my mommy-radar is really picking up on the fact that many young girls have low self esteem, and from my own experience, falling into that mentality is really easy.

Many people in your life are your role models and shape the person you become, yet it’s said that mothers are any girls’ #1 role model. So, part of inspiring our daughters to believe in themselves and put themselves on that pedestal before anyone else – we as Mom’s must do the same. When once I have declined doing something knowing that I’m not skilled at it {playing baseball, for example}, I now make a conscious effort to get in there and try again and again {and make it fun}, to show my daughters that they too can do anything whether they are good at it or not.

We all know that parenting comes with many struggles, and inspiring your daughters to believe and love themselves is one task which should be done. One of the best things my daughter has ever said to me was:

“Mom, I love you …. but I love myself more”

 

In no way do I think I have succeeded in this challenge of raising a well-rounded and strong-willed girl. With each passing week and constant growth, I see it as something that needs to be continually guided, even with each, “Do you think I look good in this shirt, Mom?”. I am continually helping my daughter gain strengths from her accomplishments, learn from her mistakes and to go after her dreams. Each day is important, and each girl is to be celebrated as individuals and accepted for who they are and what they want to become.

Art and BarbieMom Central Canada has partnered with I Can Be the Voice, a new website dedicated to helping moms with the task of raising their daughters so that they are smarter, stronger, happier, and more fulfilled. Terry Carson, a well known Canadian Parenting Coach, will be sharing tips and ideas to help promote these ideas.

National “I Can Be Day” was on October 27th, schools across the country had Moms come in to present their careers to the students. Even though the day has passed, any day is good for teaching girls about all the limitless choices for them. I urge you to take some time to visit the Barbie I Can Be website  and join the conversation on twitter using: #BarbieICanBe. Find your voice and help young girls find theirs.

How do you inspire your daughter to be anything?

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I am participating in the Barbie I Can Be campaign by Mom Central Canada on behalf of Mattel Canada.
I received compensation as a thank you for my participation. The opinions on this blog are my own.

 

 

11 Comments

    1. Thanks Stephanie, it’s my top mission in life – this Mom business! There is so much support out there, so much information – we just need to use it!

  1. Great post. Thanks for sharing the link. I have two girls and agree it is so important to teach them and empower them early on.

  2. Even just at 3 I’m already seeing a glimpse of all the “issues” girls can have and how important it is to provide an empowering voice. I am blessed too that my husband is very conscious about the messages he puts out to our daughter and that he treats me so well. I am hoping that our family relationships provide a great foundation for her future.

  3. I agree with you 100% ,i have to little girls myself so thank you for sharing the sites 🙂

  4. I love this post! A few months ago a friend and I were talking about how difficult it is to keep from complimenting girls *primarily* on how cute they look or how pretty they are, while we tend to say other, more substantive things to boys, whether they are our own or not. Even when we are aware of it, the differences in the way we treat boys and girls are insidious and so deeply ingrained that it is very hard to refrain from perpetuating these roles and expectations of the different genders. Your girls are absolutely gorgeous, and I think that every time I see a new picture of them, but they are clearly also very smart, creative and funny! I’m thrilled to see how you nurture these qualities in them…you do such a great job!

    I have to say, though…I am pleasantly surprised to see this is a post inspired by a Barbie program, but I also hope this program really encourages girls to be more than pretty. Even if they are telling ALL girls they are beautiful, girls are so much MORE than that! I’m heading over to check out the Barbie I Can Be program right now! 🙂

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