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Community Corner

Mothers and Daughters

Mother - Daughter relationships and raising girls

 

We all know raising children, no matter what the sex, is an incredibly difficult task. But the relationship between Mother and Daughter can be touchy, emotionally draining, and terrifying. So, sorting through how we feel about our Mother-Daughter relationships with not only our Daughters but with our own Mothers as well isn’t easy.

I knew going into parenting it wasn’t going to be easy, but no one can actually tell how challenging it is because every kid and every situation is different. Being that I am one of three girls, I know the battles Mother and Daughter can face after witnessing the different relationships my sisters and I have with our Mom.

While I wasn’t a terrible child, I wasn’t an angel. When I turned 13, it was like my Mom went from my idol to being a total idiot. Nothing she said was right, she didn’t know anything, and most certainly she did NOT know what was best for me. How that happens overnight, I have no clue, but it does, and I’m bracing myself for the day that happens with my Little Miss. Thankfully, my Mom and I have a great relationship now and I count on her for a lot, she means so much to my family, I really don’t know what I’d do without her.

Evie and I already butt heads, already we drive each other crazy. But even on horrible days where I feel like we’ve fought all day, I make SURE at our quiet time at bedtime I tell her how amazing I think she is and that she is the most special girl to me. I’m hopeful with these little gestures, she’ll know just how much I love her.

The other day when she was getting in trouble for throwing a tantrum she looked up at me through teary eyes and said “Mommy, do you still love me?” My heart broke. Where she got the idea that I wouldn’t love her because she was naughty is beyond me. I did the best I thought to do and told her that no matter how naughty she was, I would ALWAYS ALWAYS love her. I felt like this was my first REAL challenge as a Girl Mom. There will always be tests along the way. There will always be more difficult challenges and battles. I don’t feel like I’m entirely prepared for what’s in store, but I’m hoping I can meet the issues head on and do what is right by my baby girl.

When I saw this post on Facebook, I felt like this was written especially for Moms of girls and I know this is my most important job. It’s my most important job to build up her self esteem so no one can take it away. And I need her to know I’ll always be here, no matter what she does, I will always love her.

Over time, our relationship with shift and change and become harder and easier and the road will be bumpy. The challenges girls face in terms of their physical appearance and inequality still exist, although much fewer than the days of our Mothers, I still want to be sure that she knows she is important and special and that there is no one else like her, because there isn’t. She is amazing and unique and perfect in her own way.

Being a parent seems daunting and impossible sometimes, and even more so when you are the Mother of a girl. But its our job to make sure our girls know how important they are to us, and how much they have to offer the world!

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What is your Mother - Daughter relationship like? We’d love to hear from you all! Please share with us in the comments below.

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