As a mother of four, I’ve come to realize that raising girls and boys can require different strategies. In today’s world, it’s not just a matter of preference; it’s a necessity. While I strive to instill strength, kindness, and critical thinking in all my children, I recognize the need to approach my daughter’s upbringing with a slightly different lens than that of my sons.
I want all my kids to be good, strong individuals who are well-equipped for whatever life throws their way. However, as of 2016, we’re still battling stereotypes. The media and cultural influences shape their perceptions, and I see how society often expects my sons to be tough while encouraging my daughter to be gentle and accommodating.
It’s perplexing, really. My daughter, who proudly sports her Star Wars tees and her brothers’ old race car boxer briefs (yes, you heard that right), also enjoys wearing dresses when she feels like it. I encourage her to be assertive, to raise her voice when she needs to, and to never shy away from competition—even with her brothers. Simultaneously, I teach my sons that it’s perfectly fine for a girl to outshine them in a debate or to lead the way, regardless of age or gender.
This may sound like common sense, but the reality is that even in our modern society, girls face unique challenges. I frequently have conversations with women about the importance of being strong and assertive in the workplace, yet there’s still a cost associated with that boldness. I want my daughter to navigate this landscape successfully, so I also teach her how to temper her assertiveness and adopt different communication styles when necessary. After all, she may not always have the social leverage that her brothers do.
While I empower my daughter to speak her mind, I’m acutely aware of the societal pressures that could try to silence her. In contrast, I need to prepare my sons for the world’s expectations of them. It’s a delicate dance of reinforcing their self-confidence while ensuring they’re respectful and humble.
Moreover, I have to raise my daughter with an awareness of her personal safety that my sons don’t need to worry about as much. Yes, I’ll teach them all about safety and awareness, but the reality is that my daughter will face risks that they might never encounter. The world views women differently, and it’s my responsibility to prepare her for that.
As I navigate this parenting journey, I’m constantly countering societal norms. I work to ensure my daughter isn’t always cast in the role of the princess and that my sons don’t always play the knight in shining armor. I want them to understand that saving and being saved are roles that can be interchangeable.
I’m not claiming to have all the answers; parenting is a perplexing puzzle. While it may seem ideal to treat all my children the same, the world outside is anything but uniform. I’m simply doing my best to counterbalance outside influences while raising my kids in a way that prepares them for a diverse and sometimes daunting world.
In summary, my approach to raising my daughter differs from that of my sons, not because I want to favor one over the other, but because the world they’ll each face demands it. This unique strategy aims to empower all my children while equipping them with the tools they need to navigate their individual paths. For more insights, check out this article on home insemination and consider resources like Make a Mom and Healthline.