An A-Z of the things we should teach our daughters

Raising girls is a special kind of challenge which in my book, requires a certain mindfulness–we only need to look at all the problems girls of anxiety, body image issues and peer pressure girls seem to be drowning in today to know that. So what are the things that we, as parents, should teach our daughters? You know what they say: It takes a village to raise a child. So I’ve called on my village of parenting bloggers to put together this list of things we should teach our daughters to be, not be, have or do.

A for ADVENTUROUS

Grasp opportunities with both hands and “have a go.” Be brave. Be careful. Be safe. – Pack the PJs

B for BEAUTY

Beauty lies within. You can use products and potions to alter your appearance but it’s what’s inside that counts. And your inner beauty will always radiate out of your face like sunbeams, no matter what. – Babies And Beauty

C for CONFIDENCE

As much as we can’t teach it, we can help to instill it within them. Being confident within themselves can help massively later on. – Life With Boys

and CONSENT

And that what consent truly means and that they can say no. – Just Average Jen

D for DREAM

Dream–then turn them into goals and reality! – Living Life Our Way

and DIGNITY

It is a sense of self-worth, as human beings we have a right to dignity and it allows you to be respected. Dignity and respect helps people to feel a sense of importance and worthiness. – Raw Childhood

E for EQUALITY

They can do anything boys can do—although my daughter will only do it wearing pink! – Whinge Whinge Wine

F for FERTILITY

We need to teach our girls how important it is to know what our body is saying. Welcome our monthly flow with appreciation and open arms. Know how to take basal temperature, understanding cervical mucus. Knowing what it all means. Knowing about reusable sanitary pads, tampons and moon cups. Loving and knowing your body so that you are not grossed out about the blood that we release. – Hacking Parenthood

G for GUTS

Don’t be afraid to be gutsy and speak up when you see something that’s wrong happening. – Pondering Parenthood

H for HEALTH

It is so important to take care of your own health. Otherwise you can not take care of others. And much of the learned health behaviour comes from childhood–food preferences, exercise habits and the understanding of oneself. –Wave to Mummy

I for INDEPENDENCE

Independence–while having a support network around you is fantastic. There will be times when you have to stand on your own two feet. You will need to know how change a light bulb/plug/tire, etc. – Boo Roo and Tigger Too

and INCLUSION

In a world that can at times be divisive, stand up for others, look out for the vulnerable members of society and include them, lift others, collaborate. – Living Life Our Way

K for KINDNESS

Especially towards ourselves as females. It’s so important to be kind and caring, and have empathy in general, but a lot of women forget to also put themselves first and make some time for self-care. – Scandi Mummy

L for LIFT EACH OTHER UP

Another girl’s success doesn’t take anything away from you. Be happy for her, celebrate from her and learn from her. Don’t waste your time on jealousy and comparison. You’ll achieve more lifting each other up than putting each other down. – Nomi Palony

and LOVE

Love what you do, love one another and love yourself. – Counting to Ten

M for MANNERS

Manners are sadly lacking in some children today. “Please” and “thank you” never hurt anyone and in fact go a long way. – Wishful Wonderings

and MONEY

It’s important for them to have a healthy relationship with money and know how to earn it, grow it and save it. It’s also important for them to know while money can buy you stuff and give you more choices, that stuff doesn’t make us happy. In fact a more minimalist approach generally makes us happier. Teaching them that all the toys in the world would only give them very temporary happiness. – Kirsty Dee

N for NEVER BE DEPENDENT

Learn to be independent. To do things for yourself and not have to depend on others. This will help them to become strong, confident and knowledgable. – Twin Mummy and Daddy

O for OPTIMISM

I always try and teach my daughter to be positive and optimistic about anything and everything she tries to achieve. – All About A Mini Norris

P for PASSION

Put passion in everything you do. If you aren’t passionate about something then look for something you are passionate about. – Mummy In a Tutu

and PLUCKING!

As mothers we should teach are daughters to put down the tweezers and go to a salon. Over-plucked eyebows at a young age sometimes never fully recover! Let’s create a generation of women with fabulous natural brows. – Kerry Shaw Mummy of Four

and also PERFECT

That you’re perfect. Just the way you are. If someone bullies or is mean, that’s their problem and not yours. You’re great. Look after you and treat people how you wish to be treated. Things I wish my mum had said to me rather than “you change.” – We Forgot The Sperm

Q for QUESTION

Question everything. Don’t just accept or believe what you’re told. Make your own mind up in your own time and be proud of what you believe. – And Another Ten Things

R for RESILIENCE

There will be knock backs in life, but get right back up and do it again. – Emma and 3

S for SEXISM

Expect it because it’s not going anywhere just yet. I don’t have a daughter but I will be teaching my son not to be sexist. – Mumzilla

S for the SANDWICH CRITICISM

Forget “never saying anything negative,” but always counterbalance it with two good points, either side of the negative to offer constructive advice or criticism. – I Am Typecast

T for TRUST

Trust your own instincts and be able to stand your own ground. Also find someone to trust who you can confide in for whatever reason. It’s always good to have one person you can talk to about anything! – Mama Wilkos

U for UNIQUENESS

That being unique is far more important than fitting in with the crowd. – Five Little Doves

V for VERY AUTONOMOUS

Learn practical skills and learn to do things for yourself, to fix things, to understand how things work. Because you CAN do it all, you don’t need a man to fix things for you!! – The Ish Mother

W for WEIGHT

It’s important to stay healthy, but weight is zero indication of that. The scales teach you nothing apart from how to obsess about a number which means very little. Do you get out of breath running for the bus? If so you need to exercise more? Is food on your plate colorful? Does it make you feel good? No? Then improve it. – Sprog On The Tyne

and WORK ETHIC

There is nothing you can’t achieve and nothing you cannot do. If you want something then go for it. The sky’s the limit, not your gender. – Babies and Beauty

X for X-PERIENCE

Live life to the fullest you can, because it is the sum of all your experiences that makes you the person you are, and experiencing life is good for you! – Motherhood: The Real Deal

Y for YOURSELF

Be yourself–not what someone else wants you to be. – My Boys Club

Z for ZAZZ YOUR SELF ESTEEM

It’s so important to feel comfortable and confident in your own skin. It’s something I constantly struggle with and have done since I was young. I hope to be able to help my daughter to strive for a high self esteem. She’s such a strong willed and opinionated little girl and I can only hope she stays that way and doesn’t let the world knock her down as she gets older –Even Angels Fall