How to Raise a Good Daughter

It is the goal of every parent to raise their children to the best of their abilities. With peer pressure and the social ills of society it can be a real challenge. Girls are just as susceptible to bad influences as boys. Even though you can't be with your child every moment of every day you can do your best to instill in them good morals and values.

Instructions

How to Raise a Good Daughter

1. Set a good example. Parents are role models for their children. They watch everything we do. Even when we think our kids aren't listening they hear more than we realize. They imitate our own actions and model their behavior after ours. We project our own thoughts, feelings, emotions, beliefs and behavior onto our children. They are like a sponge soaking up everything in their environment. Children learn not only from teachers but from parents and others in their lives. Teach them properly by setting a good example in all that you do.

2. Good communication is imperative in raising children. Sometimes we get so caught up in the act of parenting that we talk at our children instead of to them. We tell them what they can and cannot do rather than talking to them about how they feel. Open the lines of communication with your child. Open honest communication facilitates a trusting loving relationship between parents and children.

3. Listen to your child. Sometimes parents do so much talking they forget to listen. Show your child that you value her input and opinion. Kids may not want to share their thoughts and feelings with you if they feel you're not really listening anyway.

4. Be positive in your speech and manner of discipline. Avoid speaking negatively to your child. Negative speech as well as pressure to be perfect can have a huge impact on a child's self-esteem. Low self-esteem can be carried into adulthood and affect all aspects of a person's life. Focus on the positive.

5. Teach your daughter to be comfortable with her body, but also teach her to respect herself and her body. A girl who is content with the person she is and is confident in her own abilities will grow to be self-reliant and independent. A girl who is raised with respect and good self-esteem will be able to go on to have a healthy relationship rather than being drawn into relationships that are short-term and unhealthy.

Tips & Warnings

• Love, encouragement and support will go a long way in raising a good daughter.

• Trust your daughter to make the right decisions. Life is a learning experience. She will grow and learn and so will you.

• Don't push your own dreams off on your daughter. Let her go her own way.