Raising Boys Who Believe in Girls

We talk a lot about ensuring that every girl has the confidence to know #ThisGirlCanChangetheWorld but what about our boys?

We need to be sure that we never leave our boys out of the conversation-ever!

For girls to always have the strong sense of self, and unshakeable belief in themselves to grow and thrive and never question their place, they need to be able to move through their world surrounded by men who also believe in them!

Men who not only see women as equals but also support their rights and goals.

Men who know that every girl, every woman, has the right to use her voice, walk into any room, work side by side with them, and stand on that equal playing field.

• Help our boys see positive role models-male and female

• Be sure our boys' media consumption portrays strong women and girls alongside supportive boys and men

• Model equality

• Educate our boys about women’s history

• Help our boys understand what equality means

• Teach our boys to respect every girl 

• Help our boys understand and support every girl's rights

• Support our  boys in developing their emotional awareness and intelligence

• Help our boys know it is OK not to win and OK to be vulnerable

• Point out instances of bias and sexism 

• Have  conversations about what images and portrayals  they see on social media and popular media 

• Help our boys be kind and supportive friends

• Celebrate strong confident girls and women

• Celebrate strong supportive men

👏to all the Moms and Dads raising boys who know that the girls in their world can do anything they can do...and that is not only OK but really cool!

These boys will be the Fathers, friends, soulmates, best pals… every girl needs.

#NationalSonsDay

#EmpoweringGirls

#GenderEquity

#SmartBoys

#ThisGirlCanChangetheWorld

A Girl’s First Cheering Section-Her Dad

“It’s up to us to say to our daughters, don’t ever let images on TV tell you what you are worth, because I expect you to dream without limit and reach for those goals.
”

— Barack Obama

We talk so often about the importance of girls having role models to look to, to see that there are girls just like them following their dreams, that there are women who are kicking open doors every day so that they can follow them and hopefully kick some of their own doors open. 

 It is equally important for girls to know to their core that they have a cheering squad, the people who love them, who believe in them, and who always help them to pick themselves up, dust themselves off and get right back in that race.  Sound familiar? If you are lucky enough this cheering section starts with your Dad.  A Dad for a girl can be a hero, but he is also her foundation. Her Dad can be her greatest ally, her mentor, the one who slays the dragons under the bed, and the one who instills a sense that there is nothing she cannot do. And when she falls, and she will, he is there to make sure she doesn’t quit.  A girl’s Dad is also her model, the model of what a man can and should be for her and to her-supporting, listening, encouraging, loving. Knowing she is safe and she feels grounded and nurtured can start with her Dad. Understanding the role a man can and should have in her life, that begins with her Dad too. The relationship a daughter has with her Dad helps her to gain a sense of empowerment from the love and the encouragement she receives. She will be rooted in the knowledge that she is strong, she is smart and she can do anything! She will carry the confidence to not only use her mind but speak her mind. She will grow to be independent and walk her own path without obstacles.  This can all start with a Dad.

“She did not stand alone, but what stood behind her, the most potent moral force in her life, was the love of her father.
”

— Harper Lee

As a girl grows up the support from her Dad and the relationship she has with her Dad, impacts not only her sense of self but also her vision of what her life can be and the expectations for how the men in her life will and should treat her. A Dad is the one who leaves his daughter a gift to be opened whenever she needs it, long after he is gone...the gift that she is loved, the gift that there is always someone who believes in her, the gift that helps her stand on her own feet and take on the world. 

The term “Daddy’s Girl” very often has negative connotations, but it shouldn’t.  It doesn’t matter if you are your Dad’s Princess, that just means he has given you the power to be, to go forward with strength, and to believe that Yes! This Girl Can!...and she will! 

We love these great books to read with your Dad.  For more Father /Daughter Book Ideas Visit A Mighty Girl!

“Being a daddy’s girl is like having permanent armor for the rest of your life.”

”

— Marinela Reka