So, it’s Presidents' Day.
Beyond our kids having the day off from school, this national holiday doesn’t mean much to us. We decided to take advantage of this “hole in the market” if you will, and add some sparkle and pizazz (insert jazz hands here) to Presidents' Day. You may be wondering, how we could possibly level up this day honoring our highest office in government? Well, how about by echoing our belief that the future is female!
Since we are currently in an election year, and there has yet to be a female president, this is the perfect time to recognize that our little darling renegades can (dare we say need to) change the world! We are fully aware that this puts some pressure on us, the adults that are raising them. We decided to help you out a bit by offering some actionable steps to foster their unique points of view, encourage diverse interests, expose them to acts of service, and cultivate self-esteem. We believe these pillars are a great foundation to shape daughters who are resilient and can make a positive impact on our world. And someday soon (we hope), one will be president!!
Cultivate True Self-Esteem & Self-Worth
- Cultivate inner strength: Teach them that their self-worth comes from authenticity, kindness and confidence rather than society's version of beauty.
- Set realistic goals: Celebrate their accomplishments no matter how small, and emphasize the importance of perseverance. This helps them develop a growth mindset and resilience in the face of challenges.
Encourage their unique interests and points of view
- Celebrate their personal style! Let them experiment with clothing and accessories. Their style is NOT a reflection of yours. Let them be individuals! (We know this is easier said than done.)
- Support their hobbies: Annie's middle daughter loves Halloween and everything spooky. She has too many creepy pictures on her walls to count!
- Listen to their ideas: Without judgement of their points of view!
- Support their curiosity: Give them access to books and personal experiences that challenge them and expand their knowledge base. (This boosts critical thinking!)
- Open communication is key: SAFE SPACES ONLY!
Exposure to Acts of Service
- Volunteer together: This is the perfect way to teach them the value of contribution, encourages empathy and instills responsibility. Plus, it's great bonding time!
- Highlight global issues: Age-appropriate, of course.
- Encourage leadership: At school, on the field and in the community. This builds confidence and empowers them to take initiative.
Lead by example (these may be the most difficult, but necessary!)
- Demonstrate self-confidence and a growth mindset: We owe it to our daughters to learn these behaviors if we don't already show them!
- Embrace challenges: Teach them that we can all grow from setbacks. When one door closes, a window opens...yada, yada, yada...you know the drill.
- Prioritize ongoing learning: Explain that we NEVER stop learning. It's a life-long journey!
We truly believe in a future where the voices and actions of strong, smart, compassionate and resilient girls shape a better world for all. THE FUTURE IS FEMALE!! (We're not crying, you’re crying. Ok, we're crying!)
-Annie & Ari
Some words of encouragement via our Pinterest page!
