ADVICE RATING |
  4.20 (Worth a try) from 21 votes (731 Visits) |
The other night as I tucked my 8-year-old daughter into bed, I was stroking her back, as I do every night and was looking around her room. It was dimly lit by the hall light, but I could see just enough to remind me of what an incredibly strong, smart,
and confident girl my husband and I are raising. As I scanned the shelves I saw photos of her and her friends, trophy's and other prized possessions; her hand thrown pottery, glass figurines, a bank, (which is always locked) her jewelry box, books (some children’s books she's had for years and some newer "chapter books" she's now consumed with), her Dad's old globe, art supplies, and her journal. Her walls are very deliberately covered in artwork, cards, letters, photographs, the wall quilt I made her for her for Christmas, a hand-made poster, full of pictures of all of us together, and a full-length mirror. But, what caught my eye were these brightly colored 4X6 cards that are sprinkled throughout the room. I silently read the phrases, "If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It", "What I Think Matters" and, “Listen to the Voice Inside You”. They are words that I hope my daughter hears again and again and will internalize and carry with her along her path from girlhood into womanhood.
The cards came from a book called, "I Can Do Anything - Smart Cards for Strong Girls". I bought it for her on her first day of 3rd grade (last September) as I thought it was a gift that would make her feel special, independent, and valued. To my delight, she loved it then and obviously still does. The book has 32 tear out empowerment cards geared for girls ages 6-13.
To observe these sparkling gems as they surround her in the sacred space of her room, I am overwhelmed with the reassurance that she's growing up well, really well. I feel like these cards, in all their wisdom and simplicity are helping me do my job. It's as though all of my wishes, hopes, and motherly advice are being whispered in her ear every time she reads the words. I can't tell you how good that makes me feel. I am filled with gratitude that there are things like this to be found to help us better parent our precious children and to remind us how important these messages are as we grow our girls; beautiful, bold, tender, and strong.
**The "I Can Do Anything" book of cards can be found though American Girl or Amazon and is carried at many bookstores. If there are any products that offer a positive message for your children and you'd like to share, please comment here or write them up under advice. We'd love to hear about them.
(July 2006) (
