Monday

It Starts So Young...

I’d like to maybe have a baby girl one day (said with smile), but you know (as if sharing universal knowledge), when they’re teenagers…..” (fade out, with voice of dismay). I guess I was to imagine my own ending to that sentence. A young married girl said this to me just days ago, echoing thoughts I’ve heard before.

But girls don’t have to be scary to raise! I know many FAB teenage girls! Just start young. Begin with the end in mind. What kind of girl do you want your daughter to be when she’s older? Raise her now with that result in mind. It’s never too young to teach life lessons. In fact, the earlier the better! (And pray a lot).

Life lessons started early at our house! 5 funny stories I recall, all of which happened when my girls were 4 years old or less.

(boys) The quest for a husband -My daughter, at 3, (pictured above) packed her little Lillian Vernon suitcase, which grandma had embroidered with her name, and said she was going on a journey to find a husband. So cute in her pursuit, I simply told her, "Well honey, your husband is supposed to find you. You don't need to search for him." Somewhat appeased, she said, "Well I'll just sit here and wait then." She and her Lillian Vernon bag waited on the porch for awhile, but she quickly got bored and went to play again. That seems to be the last time she was worried about it!

(character/integrity) Driving around our hometown one day, the kids asked to eat out. I said, "Remember girls, daddy and I told you we are starting our own business right now, and may have to spend a little less money for awhile?" Silence. Then after a few seconds, the ponderous child in the back said, "Mommy, can't we just steal the food and repent later?"

(gender confusion) One of my girls, in a particularly appreciative moment, walked up, put her arm around my shoulder and said, "Mommy, you're a good man."

(media choices) My youngest got to tag along to an outing to see "Princess Diaries" at the movies. Being the most "grown up movie" she'd seen, she paid a lot more attention at age three than I thought she would, proven by the fact she climbed over the theatre seats to whisper to me, "Mommy, I don't want to rent the Goofy movie anymore. I want this one with all the boys in it!"

(spirituality) One daughter asked one day, "Has a girl ever died on the cross?" Before I could even answer, thank goodness, she settled her own mind with a quick, "No, it wouldn't look nice...with men it's a little better!"

I share those in jest and humor, though they are real! As years have gone by, life training isn't always so easy or cute, but still so necessary, and so DAILY, coming up at unexpected times. I encourage you to write those funny things down as they happen, you will definitely laugh over them years later!

Stay tuned for some great insights from ladies who have raised girls. I'm interviewing moms who have walked this road and are willing to share their insights with those of us still in the trenches! I'm asking each lady, "What are 5 things you're glad you did raising daughters?"

Also working on follow up content from our first mean girl story, From the Heart of a Teen Girl. THANK YOU for all the blog support you sent our way! If you “like” the Facebook page,


5 Things, you’ll be subscribed to all of our posts.



I’m talking to many ladies and girls behind the scenes, getting some great stuff ready for you!

6 comments:

  1. Great Post Holly! I can't tell you how much my life was shaped by the talks my mom had with me before I hit my teenage years. I'm so thankful that my mom didn't wait until I was older to tackle some of those issues.
    Love your blog!
    Afton

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  2. Looking forward to reading more! Love what ur doing for moms and girls!!! :D

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  3. Love it! Looking forward to following you!

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  4. Great stuff is profound and funny! You got them both!

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  5. Great post! I love lessons with humor! :-)

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  6. Love your blog! Will recommend to others! Go sisero!

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LOVE to hear from readers! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.