As a little girl growing up in a family of five kids, I was raised with a very strict focus to respect and hard work. Things like makeup didn’t even factor until high school grade 10, and even then, my dad was not a fan. I have to say, in retrospect, I’m so thankful for that. My parents emphasized the importance of integrity, loyalty, dedication, a strong work ethic and a sense of humor. My mom and I would always talk about my grandmothers and great grandmothers who survived war, hunger, and illness with such strength and perseverance. I was raised with empathy, smarts and the ability to swing a hammer, and for that I’m forever grateful to my parents.
Now that I have a daughter of my own, I really understand how hard it can be to instill positive values in your children. At five years old, she doesn’t understand why she can’t wear lip gloss like her friends (At five! WHO needs lip gloss at five?), or why her ears aren’t pierced. She constantly talks about Rapunzel and how she dreams of having long, “lellow” hair just like her. My response is to always make her think by asking her questions. I want her to learn to question things. I want her to know that she can do anything she wants to do, and be whatever she wants to be, and being a girl shouldn’t even factor into her decision process. I want her to know that her beauty radiates from within, and that the person she is to herself and others will always matter more than what she’s wearing or what she looks like. So I ask her questions – I ask her what she thinks something means, or why did this person make this choice. We’re always talking, always questioning and I never want that to end.
I’m very proud to be a part of the new Barbie I Can Be campaign, and the launch of the new website, BE THE VOICE, dedicated to “helping moms with the task of raising their daughters so that they are smarter, stronger, happier, and more fulfilled.” With the addition of the in-house expert Terry Carson (of The Parenting Coach), the site will feature new themes and discussions each month.
Please make sure to stop by Be The Voice to engage and continue the discussion of how we can support each other to raise strong women.
Disclosure – 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.
