My Six-Year-Old Is A Total Force of Nature

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Parenting
How To Raise A Fearless Girl

by Jamie Aldridge

Updated: May 22, 2020

Originally Published: Oct. 20, 2017

My daughter is 6, and she’s an absolute force of nature. In other words, she’s opinionated, tough, and a little bit cheeky. Her feelings hardly ever get hurt. She zips down the ski slopes like a comet, sprints like the wind, and chatters faster than a racing car. If we make a mistake, she’s the first to point it out. She doesn’t give unnecessary apologies. When she loves, it’s with everything she’s got—but believe me, you have to earn that affection.

I assure you, I’m not just calling her a force of nature because I’m her mom. This kid can fall and simply wipe the dirt and blood from her tutu and jump right back into the game. She’ll pick a muddy adventure over staying cozy inside any day, happily wrangling squirmy worms from the earth.

And let’s not forget about her loud opinions. Recently, her art teacher asked the class to draw seven circles for their caterpillars, and my daughter boldly declared she’d be drawing nine—because in her eyes, an artist gets to choose how many circles their caterpillar needs. It’s adorable now, but I can already see how this could turn into a little drama during her teenage years.

Raising a spirited child isn’t a walk in the park. It often leads to lively debates, intense emotions, and plenty of shouting. She hates being told what to do and strives to be the best at everything (even when that doesn’t happen). While we’re eager to nurture her innate skills, we also want her to embrace kindness and gentleness—let’s not forget about kindness.

Here’s how we cultivate her inner badass while navigating our family dynamics:

Encouraging Her Voice:

We make sure she knows her voice matters. At restaurants, she confidently places her own orders and chats with adults like she’s been doing it forever. If something’s bothering her at school, we help her figure out how to express it to her teachers. We try to listen to her—a monumental task given her endless chatter!

Fostering a Love for Nature:

Dirt is her friend. We rescue spiders and bugs, and I strive to remain calm when critters invade our space. Being outdoors is crucial for developing minds, so we encourage her to embrace it all.

Promoting Physical Activity:

My husband loves to wrestle and toss her around, while I pretend not to watch. Roughhousing is fantastic for building resilience and bonding with parents—plus, girls can totally enjoy skateboarding, biking, and treehouse building just as much as boys do.

Teaching Life Skills:

She’s mastered the art of peeing in the woods—because every kid should have that skill! Life’s little mishaps—like spills or tumbles—don’t receive gasps from us. When she sees us handling accidents calmly, it helps her manage her own dramatic moments.

Choosing Smart Toys:

We invest in toys that challenge her mind—not just dolls and dresses (although she loves those too). She’s just as likely to construct sprawling train tracks as she is to play princess. Toys shouldn’t be limited by gender. Boys bake. Girls smash!

Encouraging Choices and Handling Failures:

The failures? Oh, we have plenty. Celebrating them is tough, but we do it because we believe that facing setbacks now will equip her with better decision-making skills when she’s older, like when she gets her driver’s license.

Listening to Intuition:

We emphasize the importance of intuition. Every child has that inner voice; we just need to ensure we don’t silence it.

Communicating Effectively:

We discuss how language is a tool to achieve goals. Sure, you can’t boss me around, and likewise, I shouldn’t order you around—except when you’re belting out tunes in your room at 10 PM, because seriously!

Embracing Emotions:

Crying is a part of life, and I want her to know that it’s not a sign of weakness but a reflection of strength. A good cry can be cathartic, and I hope she always feels free to express her feelings.

Letting Go of the Small Stuff:

She often leaves the house looking like a fashion disaster, but you know what? She’s thrilled when she picks her own outfits, so I let it slide. Why not?

At just six years old, we have a long way to go, but I’m optimistic that she’ll grow into a remarkable adult. Until then, I just hope we all make it through her childhood in one piece.

If you’re interested in more parenting insights, check out this other blog post. Also, for those curious about fertility tips, this site is a great resource. And if you’re looking for information on pregnancy, the CDC has excellent resources.

Summary:

Raising a strong-willed daughter comes with its challenges, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. By nurturing her individuality and encouraging resilience, we aim to support her growth into a compassionate and fierce adult. From promoting outdoor play to fostering her voice, we’re committed to guiding her through childhood with love and understanding.