Raising Confident Girls

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Hello

I need tips!

DD has just turned 4. She is happy and healthy and great, but I am an anxious parent and generally clueless. I am worried about transferring these anxieties to her as she, like all children, is very sensitive to my emotional cues and I have been quite stressed and awful lately.

Anyone able to help?

Sorry, in case it looks like I am drip feeding, we are in Egypt so a big part of this anxiety is the pressure on girls to be beautiful but not too beautiful, great mothers before anything else, always cute and obedient blah blah blah. DD is a people pleaser and I don't want her to be cornered into an unfulfilling and oppressive role.

Interesting question! I don't have much wisdom, bit will wait with you till someone with more experience arrives.

Basically with my kids I remind them that they are no more important than anyone else, but that they are equally valuable to everyone else. To be respectful and polite, but to cherish themselves enough to be able to make sure they avoid people who aren't respectful of them.

I'd say in Egypt you have a big uphill struggle ?? as you say, women aren't seen as equal really are they. I think you have a great start though as you are aware of the issues.

Lead by example. Don't let her watch too much Americanised Disney-style crap. Tell her stories of the amazing women who have gone before her - either in her family or famous women.
The 'A Mighty Girl' Facebook page has great stuff and there is also Jump magazine for girls. There are lots of resources out there, if you start looking now you will have lots of material for the whole of her growing up.

Came on to recommend A Mighty Girl but Ember beat me to it! It's a really great website / Facebook page, well worth a look!

Thank you all. I am off to check out A Mighty Girl now...

It is a bit too late with the Disney stuff unfortunately. We are weaning her off but I hope the damage hasn't been done.

Do any of you have recommendations for readings or books for me? I try to lead by example but I think I could do with sorting out my feelings/actions on this too!