We were told not to be alarmed if she didn’t make noise immediately, because apparently that is pretty typical of water births. I don’t remember much from those fuzzy moments, but I’ll never forget her cries as she crashed through the water to announce her arrival to the world!
Today, at two-years-old, one of her favourite activities is to tell everyone what to do. “Sit here.” Hold this.” The other day she even told me to “Phone Liz.” - the lovely Mama at her daycare, because I couldn’t figure out which song she wanted me to play off iTunes 🤣 (Liz knew, by the way).
Pretty basic toddler stuff but she really is... bossy. And we’re not supposed to call girls that anymore.
Except, it’s kind of what I love most about her. I love that she is decisive and confident and will probably grow up to be the friend who just picks the damn restaurant when no one can decide.
Maybe it’s okay for a girl, who will one day be a woman, to exhibit this bold characteristic. And perhaps I shouldn’t have to tip toe around naming it.
If my job is simply to never crush this part of her, then why deny it?
I need to foster it by teaching her about respect and empathy and consent, so that what begins as very developmentally appropriate “bossiness” in early childhood, becomes true leadership in adulthood.
To me, that is a big part of raising my daughter as a feminist; Teaching her that all the parts of herself are good and can find a positive application in this world.
What do you think? Is bossy ok? And no matter the sex or gender of your child, are you striving to raise them as feminists?
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