It’s no underlying secret that the world can be brutal for women. From the moment they’re born, girls will be the subject of a barrage of messages and expectations that tell them they’re not good enough just as they are. It’s up to parents to counteract these harmful messages and raise daughters who know their worth.
Raising a strong, confident girl takes more than teaching her to walk and talk. It requires a lot of love, understanding, and patience. It’s not always going to be easy for the parent, either. Strong girls are tough on everyone around them, not just their parents.
All parents can do a few things to help their daughters become confident, successful women. Here are a few steps to ensure that your child can survive and thrive in a harsh and judgmental society.
Lead by Example
Parents who show their daughter how to be strong and confident by setting a good example will help her become successful. Girls learn a lot by watching their parents. If they see that mom and dad are hardworking and honest, they’re more likely to adopt those same values.
Parents can also teach their daughters to be strong and confident by showing them how to stand up for themselves. If a daughter sees her mother speaking up for herself and others, she’ll know that it’s okay for her to do the same. It’s also crucial for parents or guardians to teach their daughters about healthy relationships. Showing your daughter what a healthy relationship looks like will help her know what to expect and demand from future relationships.
Your daughter’s growth is now part of your responsibility, and your actions should reflect how you want them to act when they become independent.
Let Her be Herself
One of the best things parents can do for their daughters is to encourage them to be themselves. Society tells girls that they have to be a certain way to be accepted. They might hear that they need to be pretty, thin, and famous to be worth anything.
These messages can be damaging and lead to low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression. It’s up to parents to help their daughters see that they’re perfect just the way they are. Encourage your daughter to pursue her interests, no matter what others think.
Try to help her understand that there is no one right way to be and that it’s okay to be different. Teach her to embrace her quirks and differences, and she’ll be less likely to try to conform to society’s unrealistic standards.
Let Experiences be Teachers
When your daughter goes through experiences, she learns things. You can be there to help her understand the lessons from those experiences. That’s why it’s essential to be there for her. When she falls, help her up. When she makes a mistake, help her learn from it. When she’s feeling down, be there to comfort her. Being involved in her early educational years is also a must. Let her know that you’re always there for her, no matter what.
Girls face a lot of unnecessary challenges in the world. It’s up to parents to help them overcome these challenges and become stronger after the ordeal. When left alone to deal with those experiences, they might succumb to the stress, fear, doubts, and failure they face. They can come out of those situations with your guidance as better individuals. However, it is critical to let them experience those things to a certain degree instead of trying to prevent them altogether.
Find Positive and Helpful Influences
Parents need to find positive influences for their daughters. It will help her grow and develop healthily. Positive impacts can help your daughter learn the right things and become a strong, successful woman.
Some positive influences for girls include:
- Friends who are supportive and have good values
- A strong and positive female role model
- Educational programs that teach girls about their strengths and encourage them to be confident
- Positive media images of women
It’s important to note that not all media images of women are positive. Parents should be selective about what influences they want for their daughters. Be sure to choose materials to help them develop a positive self-image and a healthy view of relationships. If you’re going to be more active in raising a strong-willed and confident daughter, you can seek professional services.
Challenge Her Mindset
Parents need to encourage their growing daughters to pursue their dreams. Girls who have big goals are more likely to be successful in life. They’re also more likely to be happier.
Unfortunately, society often tells girls that they can’t have big dreams. They’re encouraged to pursue more “feminine” dreams, such as being a stay-at-home mom or a nurse.
Parents can challenge these limiting beliefs and help their daughters dream bigger. Show them examples of women pursuing their dreams and achieving great things. Help them develop a plan for how they can reach for the same journey.
Encourage her to get an education and pursue a career. Let her know that she can be anything she wants to be. Girls with big dreams are more likely to defy society’s expectations and become strong, successful women.
When raising a daughter, it is important to teach her how to be strong in the face of a harsh society. You have an essential role in that journey, making it necessary to learn what it takes to become a parent.