Building Self-Confidence in Your Girl – Video
Today, Tracey Finck, author of Love Letters to a Child and my guest from Monday, will share with us the power of journaling for your child!
If you can’t see this video, go to this link: http://youtu.be/UU-Us_Y5ip8
I am giving away a copy of Tracey’s book. To enter for a chance to win, simply share one thing you want to write in your child’s journal. Simply “click” on comments below and be sure to leave me your contact information in case you win! I will announce the winner of Tracey’s book tomorrow on my Wednesday Wisdom Tips!
I love all of your comments yesterday, friends! There will be many blessed children because of this new idea from Tracey! Can’t wait to announce our winner tomorrow.
If you haven’t left a comment to win, it’s not too late!
Friends, I just read a powerful article on the increasing pressure on girls to find their identity in being “hot.” Younger and younger girls are being affected because of the media. The article gives some good tips for parents. Check it out.
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Society/2011/0924/Little-girls-or-little-women-The-Disney-princess-effect
Caitlyn, the Lord blessed me tremendously the day that He chose me to be your Mommy. You make me smile just hearing your little voice. You are so beautiful, smart, kind hearted, sincere, funny. You make me laugh when I am feeling sad. You brighten my day when I see your beautiful face. You encourage me to be a better Mommy and person. You have such a good heart, so quick to help, befriend people and such a little encourager. you bring me so much joy. Thank you for teaching me and loving me. I love you to the moon and back. Shine bright my little boogaloo.
This is just a little of what I would say to my daughter, she is 9 and means the world to me. I write her little notes and stick them in her lunch box and she will sometimes write me notes and stick them in my purse. I feel it is important to share with our daughters, how we feel about them.
To Jessica: i was so proud of you the other day at your first cross country meet. You did well in the meet and i am proud of you for that. But what made me even prouder, was how right after you caught your breath, you walked around and said “Good job” to all the kids (from both schools) who came in way after you did. You even walked over to me and said, Hey mom…tell Lauryn…what a good job she did (she was one of the last to come in). So proud of your compassion!
Remember Who/what defines you!!
i would write about how loveable and spontaneous my daughter is….making up songs all the time about stuffed animals, people, putting stories to music. And how much I love it when she says “Dance with me mama” when her favorite songs are playing.
beth
Beth, DO document all those beautiful details. It will help her remember what a charming and unique soul she has when peer pressure tries to suffocate her creativity. And those “dance with mama” moments are ones you will want to treasure.
What a great idea to keep a journal for your child! I have written notes and cards to my daughter, but I love this idea of a continuing book. My daughter is now 20 and I would write to her today that I am so proud of the beautiful, godly young woman she has become. I appreciate her good decisions and using her talents to praise God.I appreciate that she has surrounded herself with good friends and is kind-hearted.
Beth A.
I would write about how she always puts others first and has so much compassion for hurting people. Also, i would write about her gift of singing and worshipping and how since she was 2 years old, she has wanted to be a worship leader and how the Holy Spirit flows through her when she sits at the piano to play a worship song.
I would remind her that she is our princess, God’s gift. . That she is also God’s princess. That her value in God’s eyes never changes no matter how many times she fail God and how many mistakes she make. Her value in God’s eyes remains exactly the same child He made. That nothing she do will ever cause God to love her less. That she is greatly blessed, highly favored and dearly love forever. That i love her so much, but God love her the most. 🙂
I have three daughters all grown now and while I did not create a journal for my girls I did write a poem for each one when they were teen & preteen –
The eldest:
Kalista, My First Born
I’ve always loved you best because…
you were my first miracle…You were the genesis…
my beginning into motherhood…the fulfillment of young love…
the joy at the end of my sorrow…
the promise of my future title of ‘grandma’.
You sustained me through the macaroni and cheese years…
the first home furnished with meager, second-hand furniture…
the first TV paid for on time.
You were new…
the first granddaughter for eager grandparents.
I remember gazing at your tiny 4#13ozs and being
in complete awe at the marvelous workmanship of my God.
Everything so tiny…yet so perfect.
I was overwhelmed with the deep sense of responsibility
that parenthood held.
You were the original model for unused parents,
trying to work the bugs out.
You got the home cooked meals, hand sewn dresses
and three hour naps.
You also had to endure the awkward attempts
of new parents establishing the home hierarchy.
I’m humbled when I remember the harshness the some of
those days held…yet pleased that you have survived with honors!
I’m proud of you sailing into womanhood despite the ‘stormy seas’.
I know I wrongly placed more responsibility on you…
the oldest…
Yet God in His infinite wisdom and love used my
mistakes and feeble attempts to mold you into a beautiful vessel.
I know that my errors have occasionally caused you
to pull a shade over your heart.
I pray daily that God will repair the damage I may have caused…
allowing you to let that shade up and the beauty of
Christ in you to shine out…
When I get glimpses of those rays peeking out…
I am filled with the warmest joy.
Thank you for your dependability, even when under protest…
When I could not depend on myself…
I knew I could always trust you.
I Love You, Mom
The middle child:
Kendralee, My Middle Child
I’ve always loved you best because…
you drew the worst spot in the family…
and it made you stronger for it.
You cried less…had more patience…
wore hand me downs without complaint…
and never in your life did anything first,
but it only made you more special.
You are the one I relaxed with…
I realized that a dog could kiss you
and you wouldn’t get sick…
that you could eat ‘rolly-pollies’ and survive…
that the world would not end if you went to bed with dirty feet…
and that you could cross the street by yourself, before you were married.
Your sweet, shy, dimpled smile melted my heart…
I could not hold a grudge against such a sweet, forgiving nature.
You are the one that made God’s Word so real to me…
through you He taught me to let go of the unimportant,
superficial surfaces and to cling to the ‘teachable’ moments…
to value the deeper aspects of life…
like character, love, and grace.
It was then that I was able to ignore the cobwebs and dust…
to tolerate the bathroom not getting cleaned daily…
the few toys that might be scattered around…
and enjoy, instead, time spent
exploring the wonders of God’s creation…
observing the wonder in your eyes at the colors of flowers…
the magical shapes you could find in clouds…
the ‘puffiness’ of a steamy bathroom…
and your exaggerated theatrics-“yes, your majesty.”
You helped me to value the world around me the way God intended…
simply and awesomely…just like He reveals Himself…
simply and awesomely through Christ Jesus.
I am wondrously awed when I witness your compassion…
the easy hugs you can give to an old lady…
the desire that burns in your heart for your friends’ salvation.
I know it warms Christ’s heart when you seek ways to share
the greatest gift of all…Him.
Thank you for helping me to learn to relax…
Forgive me when I test your patience.
I Love You, Mom
The youngest:
Korena, My ‘Baby’
I’ve always loved you best because…
endings are usually sad and you are such a joy…
You accepted the milk stained bibs…
the old crib…the cracked and faded toys…
the baby book with the fewest entries.
You are the one I held on to tightly…
For you were the last link with the past,
that gave reason for tomorrow.
I knew you would be the last one I gave birth to…
as you grew up, my purposes as a mother
would begin to fade…
I’ll always hold the title of ‘mom’,
but I will not be needed to bandage scraped knees…
or wipe away tears from chubby, cherub cheeks or get to play ‘the tooth fairy’…
It is a role change I shall miss terribly, for I truly loved being a ‘God-called’ mom.
I regret the days I worked out side the home and missed many of your ‘firsts’…
and was not always there to soothe your hurts and share your day.
I’ll always cherish your ready forgiveness…
you always welcomed me with open arms…
you never could hold on to a grudge.
I will treasure the years that I was able to be a full-time mom…
It gave me moments that will bring me joy…
when I am old and your life is busy.
I’m blessed with your willingness to hang onto childhood just a little longer…
for with maturity comes a new shyness…
to let mom see you in your ‘birthday suit’…
to share the hurtful notes of immature friends…
or to be seen hugging a parent in public.
I truly value these times…
they let me know that you accept me…
imperfections overlooked…
and forgiven.
Thank you for loving me openly and unashamedly.
No matter how tall you get…
how mature you become…
how prosperous your future grows…
even when your hair turns white as snow,
you shall always be…
my “baby”.
I Love You, Mom
I printed them on the best paper I could afford at the time and saved and sacrificed to get them matted and framed. When I gave them I must admit that I was a bit disappointed at the reaction or rather the non-reaction that they gave. However, as they moved out and moved on with their own lives, they have each come to me and mentioned at how much they now value and cherish those poems.
Those are so beautiful!
I also gave my kids a framed artwork with my words on them a few years ago. I know that they will one day cherish them 🙂
I’ve done scrapbooking and picking up my favorite hobby again this weekend…I occassionally stick little notes in their lunches too…they love that and I have to stay on top of that more. I’m going to start journaling…especially after seeing this video clip and how it can reinforce the positive. Thanks so much!
I love that you are a scraper! I used to love it…I had to give it up to start speaking and writing. I know your children will love your precious books one day; keep it up!
Loved the video clip about journaling. I would like to be more intentional in writing love letters to my children more often even if they are brief! Thanks for the great resource and guide, Tracey. I bought the book and love the ideas and suggestions on topics to write about. After journaling for our 4 children perhaps I will journal for my Grandpeeps in the days to come:) I have a few notes that my Dad wrote me when I was little and I find his handwriting so precious as he is no longer living. The written word is a treasured gift.