How to Encourage Young Girls to Love Who They Are

Playing with dolls, fairy tales, daddy’s little princess…these are some of the things we would think of when thinking of little girls. But today innocent girls face, Britney looks, makeovers and cosmetic surgery, extreme competition, media and the internet. Life is tough enough but the pressure of perfection has become so crucial that our young children, particularly girls have overwhelming, unrealistic obstacles to overcome. How can we gain control over such pressure and influence? There is no simple, pat answer but tough times call for tough action to gain ground in helping our children.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Without even trying, we model our values. Parents especially demonstrate to their children what they consider important and valuable. "Like father, like son" is not just a well known cliche'" but a truth repeated in our homes.
2. Girls crave structure – it provides security and helps them navigate in their decision making. Help them understand who they are and the world around them that attempts to entice them to see their distorted, perverse ways.
3. Stay involved and advised about your daughter’s activities and friends.
   Monitor technology sources (cell phones, web interaction, etc.) to prevent perpetrators or intruders.
4. Create special times with your daughter each week, one on one, when you can ask her questions about her life and become more fully aware of who she is. Make this time sacred and let her know it's important to you.
5. Provide Christian women role models and allow your daughters to enjoy being female.
6. Nothing can ever substitute love and affection. Allow your daughters to enjoy being valued and precious.

Tips & Warnings

• It's ok to be yourself, for we were all "fearfully and wonderfully made"
• No one is perfect and ever will be in this world
• There is more to life than how you look
• Have fun!
• It’s NOT up to schools or a village or the government to raise our girls or to make decisions about their life choices or education, but the parents and those guardians are responsible for these choices.