Good role models for daughters start with us as their mothers. With 6 girls in tow, I’ve become more aware of my own behavior and how it ripples through my household throughout the past and present. I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not a saint by any means, however, I have found some ways to be a role model for girls which have carried me a long way. There’s been methods I’ve used which worked great, and others which are more mediocre in their yield of impression on my girls. Some of my more successful strategies follow.
Exercise Role Model
Without a doubt, my healthy minded lifestyle has molded its impression on my girls. I’m feeling good about this mostly because health is freedom. Without it we are limited, or powerless in more severe cases. I began taking them running with me as youngsters. My oldest was around 10 or so at the time and the other 3 followed in age down to my year old. We ran in a “pack” known in our neighborhood as the “girl pack”, or “that lady that runs with her kids”. They went on to be in cross country and other running events which has made exercise a regular part of their lives.
Reading, Writing and Education Role Model
As a writer, I’ve always been on the computer creating articles and other publications for groups and other events I was involved in. However, reading was a huge part of my role modeling for our kids as well. I regularly took them to the library, read to them from baby on, and got involved in stories and play books they would write. I even got them involved in writing their own play, and then acting it out for neighbors and friends. It was a lot of work, but fun for them as they wrote, prepared costumes and saw the fruits of their labor on performance day. As a result of these activities, my oldest daughter is graduating with a degree in journalism next year! I’m so proud of her accomplishments, and I guess I’ll claim some credit for the above activities which sparked her interest in journalism.
Relationship Role Model
I’m not using the word “relationship” for a marriage situation only, but for relationships in general. I found it important for my girls to witness not only my responses and daily activities with my husband, but with my sister, and other female friends too. I felt it was my responsibility to let them see me respond in healthy minded ways to others in my life, even when things weren’t going well. To allow them to see me stay calm under pressure and in situations which sometimes made me want to pull my hair out which involved other loved ones and friends.
Productive Role Model
I’ve always tried to use my time wisely. If I found my day had a glitch in it, and I couldn’t get something accomplished which I originally set out to do, I always took on another task in it’s place. Generally speaking, had my kids helping me along the way in most of these circumstances. I can see this characteristic very strongly now in my oldest 2 girls, ages 22, and 20.
Source: Personal experience
