2. Paint her nails. Then let her scratch them off. Teach her to care about her appearance, but not to focus on it, define her worth by it, or let it run her life. Let her put your makeup on - even if it means red smudged lips and streaked blue eyelids. Let her experiment in her attempts to be like you.
3. Let her be. She
may want to stay home and read books on the couch, or travel the
world. Try to remember that you were her age once. Everyone makes
mistakes, let her make her own. She may be completely different from you
in looks and personality. Embrace her for who she is and raise her
according to her needs.
4. Be present. Be
there for her at her soccer games…her everyday-little-moments. When she looks through the
crowds of people, she will be looking for your smile. Show it
to her as often as possible.
5. Encourage her to pick out her own clothes.
If
she would rather wear polka dots with stripes, or if she wants to wear a tutu or dinosaur costume to the grocery
store, why stop her? She needs to decide and be confident in
her decision. Actions speak louder than words - as a mother, make wise
choices in choosing your outfits and teach your daughters the importance
of conservatism and how it pleases God, honors your husband, and
represents Christ to others. Teach her how to respect herself and others
by covering up. She will value what you value if you lead by example.
6. Teach her to be independent.
Show her by example that woman are strong. Find and follow your own
passions and hobbies. Search for outlets of expression and enjoyment. Define yourself by your own
attributes, not by what others expect you to be or by whats considered 'normal' in this world. Be in the world ,but not OF the world. Know who you are as a
person, a woman. Find your identity in being a child of God, and help your daughter find all that out too.
7. Pick flowers with her. Put them in her hair. There is nothing more beautiful than a girl and a flower.
8. Let her get messy. Get
messy with her, no matter how much it makes you cringe inside. Splash
in the puddles, throw snowballs, make mud pies, finger paint the walls :
just let it happen. The most wonderful of memories are often the messy
ones.
9. Give her good role models to look up to. You
being the main influence. Introduce her to influential godly woman, and
let her see that you value worthy qualities in other women. The fruits
of the spirit are priceless tools to better the kingdom. Monitor who spends time with her wisely.
10. Pray with her daily.
Not just when you're seeking God's help for yourself or others, but
when you're thankful and filled with joy too! Don't let her think God is
a fairy tale genie - there to give her whatever she wants. Teach her to
love Jesus as a close friend, and encourage her to talk to him whenever
she wants to. Teach her the importance and beauty of communicating with
God, and when she sees a selfless prayer answered her faith will be set
on fire.
11. Hold her hand. Whether
she is 3 years-old in the parking lot or sixteen years old in the mall,
hold on to her always - this will teach her to be confident in herself
and proud of her family.
12. Believe in her. It
is the moments that she does not believe in herself that she will need
you to believe enough for both of you. Whether it is a spelling test at age 7, a big game or recital, or the first day
of college…remind her of the independent and capable woman you have
taught her to be.
13. Tell her how beautiful she is. Whether she is all dressed up, immediately after a basketball game
where she is sweaty, or her wedding day. She needs
your reminders. She needs your pride. She needs your reassurance.
14. Love her father.
Teach her to look for a God-fearing, good, honest, hard-working man
like him. One who will let her be herself and love her for it.
15. Make forts with boxes and blankets when she wants to. They are only young once, and before you know it, that window is closed.
16. Read to her. And
read with enthusiasm! Show her the beauty of words on a page and let
her see you enjoy them. Words can be simply written and simply
spoken, yet can harvest so much meaning. Reading those favorite books of
hers with her mama will be one of her most treasured memories. Let her
see you reading your bible, and how you treasure it. Read her the
stories and explain their meaning and importance.
17. Teach her how to love.
- with passion and kisses. Love
her passionately. Love her father passionately and her siblings
passionately. Hug often. Express your love, and say "I love you" as much
as you can. Show her how to love with no restraint. Let her cry, and
gush,
giggle and scream.
18. Encourage her to dance and sing.
Dance
and sing with her - even if it sounds or looks horrible. Let her wiggle
to nursery rhymes. Let her dance on her daddy's feet and spin in your
arms. Find joy in music with her. Introduce her to classics like The Eagles and James Taylor. Share the beauty of music together, it will bring you closer -
or at least create a soundtrack to your life together. Show her how to
express love and thanksgiving to God by singing his praises with joy.
19. Share secrets together. Communicate. Talk about anything. Let
her tell you about everything. Listen. Ask questions. Share dreams,
hopes, concerns. Be her friend too, but keep the balance between
discipline and love. Avoid those "rebellious" years by continually
communicating with her. Explain why you discipline when necessary, and
that it is because you love her. Never discipline when angry.
20. Teach her manners. Because
sometimes you have to be her mother, not just her friend. And lead by example. The world is a
happier place when made up of polite words and smiles.
21. Teach her when to stand-up and when to walk away.
She is worthy of respect. It does not
mean she has to fight back with fists or words, because more often than
not you
say more with silence. Also make sure she knows which battles are worth
fighting. Help her to understand when to shut her mouth and just walk
away. Teach her that words are powerful. Teach her to be the bigger
person, and to turn the other cheek. Be careful of what you say around
her - she listens to each word you say. Avoid anything close to petty
gossip in your own personal conversations, and she will do like you.
22. Teach her the value of money.
Let her see your wise financial decisions, and teach her to be thrifty.
To be creative. To get a lot from a little. Teach her what hard work
entails. Teach her not to indulge in pricy worldly items as girls do.
They are a waste of time and temporary. They can't come with us, and
should not be a priority.
23. Be healthy.
Make healthy eating choices around her and get off the couch! Run
around with her, play tag, ride bikes. Our bodies are gifts from God and
we should take care of them. Lead by example and start those activities at a young age, it will help keep you young too, mom!
24. Comfort her. Because
sometimes you just need your mommy. When she is sick, rub her back,
make her soup and cover her in blankets - no matter how old she is.
Someday, if she is giving birth to her own child, push her hair out of
her face, encourage her, and tell her how beautiful she is. These are
the moments she will remember you for.
25. Be home. Don't let work or hobbies or anything else come before the well-being of your child : ever. Keep your priorities straight. When
she is sick with a cold or broken hearted, she will come to you : welcome
her. When she is engaged or pregnant, she will run to you to share her
news : embrace her. When she is lost or confused, she will search for
you : find her and help her find her way back home to God again. When she needs advice on anything, tell her. She is your daughter and will always need a safe
harbor - where she can turn a key to see comforting eyes and a familiar
smile: be home.
26. Teach humility.
Show her how to serve others and put them before yourself. Laziness is
the work of the enemy. Teach her to look for work and to be helpful -
not a burden. This is truly one of the best gifts you can give her and
will help her as a mother and a wife and a person in general in the future.
27. Let her help you.
Whatever you're doing, involve her. If you're cleaning, give her a
broom. If you're painting, give her a brush. If you're weeding, give her
some gloves. If you're baking, let her add ingredients and stir. I
don't care if she is 1 year old, and she is actually making it messier
than it was before. She wants to be with you and do what you're doing.
She wants to please you and feel like she's contributing. Give her that
satisfaction! Don't ever tell her she's not old enough or big enough
to help you with something. Find a way to make it work.
28. Dismiss gossip. Always pay attention to your conversations with other people. Make sure you glorify God with your choice of words. Never let her hear you gossip or talk badly about another. If she never hears you do it, she likely will not either. Treat others the way you'd want to be treated.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
29. Be happy.
No matter how much money you have, be content. Don't complain, or nag to your husband in front of her.
Teach her that money does not equal happiness, this life is temporary and that her treasure truly is in
heaven.
30. Make memories. She will remember her childhood in ways that you will not. Give her great fun memories of times filled with laughter and happiness. Don't ever think it's too late or she's too old, because before you know it, she will be.
