Raising Strong Girls

I’m a single Mom of 2 girls, aged 7 and 9.

I’m also the owner of an Allstate Agency, a partner in a loving relationship, avid traveler, beach lover, volunteer, big-hearted, big-haired, game to try almost anything, loving daughter and aunt, and good friend.

But first and foremost, I’m a Mom.

Raising strong girls that are equally kind, confident, and brave is my most important job, and there’s no two ways about it, they keep me on my toes.

Our household is a lot like many others where the parent or parents are working full-time, and in my case, running a business where I am responsible for the livelihoods of my team.

My days can be very frenetic, quite long and often include travel. The girls are fully aware that not every day is a “walk in the park” and know there are times when it can be overwhelming.

And that’s okay because that’s real life, or at least our real life. I want them to see that there are good times, and not so good times, and we can get through it together.

Here are my “house rules”:

Communication is key and I make certain that we always communicate with vocabulary and terms they understand. I want them to feel good about sharing with me, and so I make certain to share with them. It’s not a one-way street in my home; we are all “in this together” and by keeping the lines of communication open, our fears, troubles, joys, and gratitudes are openly discussed without fear.

Success is great, but along with “winning” there are times that each of us can fall, make mistakes, and not play our best game. It’s a part of life and I make certain they see that I go through much of the same. There are days I’m Wonder Woman, and others, I’m hard pressed to get anything done in the way I would want it to be done.

The conversations, the tough ones about good days and bad, and how it is OK to make mistakes, in my mind are important, lest we lead our children to believe that we are perfect, because we’re not, or at least, I’m not.

Laugh loud, long, and often, and love vehemently. Being a kid is tough, you know. There are pressures and expectations that they put on themselves, their activities and social life can be intense, and through it all I want them to be able to talk and laugh with me, and to know there is an abundance of love in our house that is available to help them get through anything.

But “getting through” doesn’t give them a “free pass.” My girls must take responsibility for their actions, as do I. Blaming someone else, or trying to push it off is not acceptable. I want them to be strong enough to handle the consequences just as they see me handle the consequences when I make mistakes too.

I believe that I’m a great role-model, and when I mess up, I let them know, and then I try to make it better.

These girls are my life and I’m committed to making certain they’ll be strong enough to handle whatever is thrown their way.