Raising Confident Daughters

𝗥𝗮𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗗𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 
Confidence comes to some children naturally but may need to be taught to others. Five things we should all do to raise confident daughters:

𝟭. 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 & 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲, 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿
In her Ted Talk, Reshma Saujani says we are raising our girls to be perfect and we’re raising our boys to be brave. Girls are taught to avoid failure and risk; to smile pretty, play it safe, get all A’s. Boys, on the other hand are taught to play rough, swing high, climb trees and engage in risky play. In the 1980s, psychologist Carol Dweck found, despite high IQs, girls gave up on more difficult assignments but boys with similar IQ found the challenge energizing. Girls must be taught to be brave early for a lifelong impression

𝟮. 𝗕𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 
Let them make style and fashion choices within reason. Don’t let them think anything or anyone is too good for them. Don’t associate negative connotation with body features, height or weight. Teach that it is okay to be different and there is beauty in imperfection. Divert away from compliments based on appearance alone. Also, avoid words associated with negative body image such as ‘ugly’ or ‘fat’; even ‘short’ or ‘dark’; when used negatively they can leave a lasting impression on a child. 

𝟯. 𝗡𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 
Princess mentality teaches daughters they are subservient, incomplete without a prince, need to wear dresses and makeup to be beautiful and that they cannot be imperfect. Instead, give her the opportunity and the tools to be self sufficient; to change her own tire, to use her voice and speak up for herself, to play sports, to be able to brush herself off and get back up. 

𝟰. 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 
We must undo the socialization of perfection and show our daughters that they are loved unconditionally. 

𝟱. 𝗟𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳
Eat well, dress well, take care of your body and your mental health. Talk to your daughter about loving yourself and her loving herself. Set examples and see magic happen.