A Salute to the Moms Making it Happen

Motherhood is a whirlwind of emotions, duties, and endless milestones. Yet amidst diapers, homework battles, and the occasional existential meltdown (theirs or ours!), sits a profound purpose: raising empowered girls who are ready to navigate the world with confidence.

It’s no easy feat. Today’s moms face unique challenges. On one hand, there’s been incredible progress in how we talk about gender roles and girls’ potential.  On the other hand, the ever-present glare of social media,  and the subtle (and not-so-subtle) societal push toward perfection can make any mom feel like she’s falling short.

But here’s the truth: Raising empowered girls isn’t about achieving a picture-perfect Instagram feed or an effortless balancing act. It’s found in the everyday moments – those heart-wrenching and joy-filled instances where we nurture our girls’ spirits as much as their abilities.

What Does an Empowered Girl Look Like?

It starts with embracing these key things:

• Confidence: Believing in themselves, even when they stumble.
• Voice: Having the courage to express their needs, wants, and unique perspectives.
• Resilience: Bouncing back from challenges, knowing their worth is not defined by setbacks.
• Compassion: Caring deeply about themselves and the world around them.

How Moms Can Foster Empowerment

1. Be Her Role Model – Girls are watching us closely. How do we speak about ourselves? Do we own our accomplishments? How do we resolve conflict or face disappointment? Let our actions demonstrate the strength we wish for them.

   According to an analysis of thousands of 360-degree reviews, women outscored men on 17 of the 19 capabilities that differentiate excellent leaders from average or poor ones. This emphasizes the powerful impact mothers have as their daughters’ first and most influential role models.

2. Celebrate Effort over Outcome – Praise the hard work, the willingness to try, and the act of pushing beyond comfort zones. It teaches girls that growth is far more valuable than instant perfection.
   
   
3. Embrace Mistakes as Learning –  Show your own willingness to mess up and use it as an opportunity for problem-solving.  Emphasize that “getting it right” isn’t the goal; learning from the journey is.
   
   
4. Nurture Her Passions –  Expose her to different interests, whether it’s science, sports, music, or art. Encourage her to dive into what lights her up, regardless of stereotypes. Did you know that girls involved in STEM activities show a dramatic increase in problem-solving skills and critical thinking?
   
   
5. Talk Openly about Challenges –  Don’t shy away from difficult topics. Be it body image, peer conflicts, or social injustices, honest conversations (age-appropriate, of course) build trust and show her she’s not alone.

Dear Moms, Give Yourselves Grace

It’s a messy, beautiful, never-ending endeavor, this task of raising girls to take their power into the world. There will be moments when we doubt ourselves, feel like we’re failing, or simply want to crawl under the covers.

Take a breath. Perfection is an illusion. You are making a difference.  The struggles,  the triumphs, the hugs after a hard day – it all weaves into the fabric of an empowered girl.  Celebrate your own strength in raising hers. We’re in this together.