I have closets over flowing with princess dresses and tutus and leotards. I own more stuffed animals and dolls than I can count. We have tiaras, hair bows, and jewelry galore. Frozen, Moana, and Encanto … I’ve seen them all a million times.
We also have dragon books, Pokémon cards, and legos. Our favorite game is Mario Kart. On any given day, you might find us outside covered in mud and digging for worms. Space camp is on our schedule this summer.
I am a mom of girls. Four to be exact.
They’re less like Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy and more like small versions of myself with all my best and worst qualities combined.
We are raising our girls to be strong independent women. Not defined by gender stereotypes. If they want to be an astronaut or a scientist, they can. If they want to be an artist or fashion designer, go for it. If all they want to be is a mom, we would support them in that too. I want them to follow their dreams.
As Mother’s Day approaches, I started thinking about the example I want to set for my daughters. I want them to be kind and brave. I am teaching them to include everyone. I want them to know that I am not perfect and neither are they. That we all make mistakes. That it’s okay to fail.
I hope they know how much I love them.
That it’s cool to be smart. Reading books is the best. Exercising is fun and good for your health. That food fuels our bodies. Most of all, I never want them to hear me talk badly about my body. I want them to see themselves as beautiful. I want them to love the person they are growing into. I spent too many years disliking my body, and I don’t want them to make the same mistakes that I made.
I am vowing to worry less, pray more, and spend more time together. I hope they always love Jesus. I will always be there to listen them. We won’t always agree. Some days they push me to my limits, and I yell too much. I just tell them I am sorry and we will work together to do better. It’s okay to apologize.
As they get older, new challenges arise. Bad attitudes become more frequent. More independence comes with age. They want to spend more time with their friends than with me. I am trying to savor these moments of childhood before these girls become little women.
What kind of example do you want to set for your daughters?
