5 Simple Habits for Empowering Your Daughter
Every mother wants her daughter to realize the extraordinary things she is capable of. But, did you know there are certain activities you can do with your daughter in order to help cultivate a spirit of determination, dedication, and courage? These 5 simple habits will empower your daughter to reach for the stars. Try incorporating some of these habits in your daughter’s routine today using toys from Disney’s new live-action film, Beauty and the Beast available at Toys”R”Us.
1) Expose your daughters to strong female role models.
There are so many incredible women today achieving amazing accomplishments in things they are passionate about. Seek out these types of women in real life, on screen and online. One such example would be Disney’s new Live Action film, Beauty and the Beast. Belle (played by Emma Watson) is an incredible heroine. She defies stereotypes, chases her dreams, is brave, and she believes in herself.
2) Use play to discuss positive self-esteem
Not only is playing fun, it is also an amazing opportunity to guide certain conversations with your kids. My daughters and I recently sat down to play with the new Disney Beauty and the Beast toys. As we discussed, Belle’s character is a fantastic role model and a woman who has amazing self-esteem. I mean, the girl turns down the neighborhood hunk, who treats her like a possession, and she is passionate about reading even though her town frowned upon it. Talk about independent! During our playtime, I made sure to highlight Belle’s boldness. Encouraging my daughter’s to emulate Belle’s confidence in their own lives.
3) Focus on the importance of intelligence + hard work ethic
Unfortunately, there is still quite a bit of pressure put on women to value themselves based on their beauty. Help your daughter realize that intelligence and a hard work ethic are two areas that can really propel her to do anything she sets her mind to. You can do this while you play for example, my girls and I discussed what an amazing reader Belle was and how reading can help teach you anything you want to know.
Another way to help your daughter understand this concept is to demonstrate it. Instead of complimenting your daughter on her looks, try finding ways to praise her for a job well done, her academic accomplishments, and her ability to think for herself.
4) Encourage your daughter to try new things
We develop confidence when we master new things. Help your daughter step outside of her box by encouraging her to take on a new skill. It could be trying a new sport, conquering a fear or volunteering to help someone in need. Belle’s character in Disney’s new live-action film, Beauty and the Beast, is an inventor. You can relate Belle’s willingness to explore new ideas to help spark your own little inventor.
5) Actively ask for your daughter’s opinion
Help your daughter realize she has a voice by soliciting her opinion on topics from her favorite food to politics, or ask how she felt when the people in the town scoffed at Belle’s love of reading. Respect what she has to say, but don’t be afraid to challenge her if you disagree. Putting her in the position to defend her beliefs will help her develop confidence.
I cannot wait to head to the theaters to see Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Belle is such an incredible role model for our girls and these new toys from Toys”R”Us make it so fun to help encourage our daughters to be more like her. Find all of the Beauty and the Beast Live Action toys at Toys”R”Us.
Which of Belle’s characteristics do you think is most empowering to young girls?
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Plus, don’t miss the Toys”R”Us In-Store Event: Visit your local Toys”R”Us to Celebrate this Timeless Tale. Build a Beauty and the Beast Lego item and more on March 25,2017 12 – 2pm. Check your local store for details.
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Love all these things! My daughter is strong willed and so I like to make sure she sees women in strong leadership roles to know “bossy” doesn’t mean “bad”
Love that, my girls have similar personalities and I’m going to add that to my list. Bossy definitely isn’t bad, it’s so important for girls to know their voice matters ?
Exposing our daughters to strong role models as well as immersing them in all types of female cultural, from all backgrounds, is so important! Love this post:)
I agree 100%. I hadn’t thought of adding the cultural aspect although we cover that through all our travels. But, you make a great point. It is definitely important to give them that cultural relevance too. Thank you!
I love how independent Belle is and how she isn’t afraid to march to the beat of her own drum. I also love how she is always reading.
Yes!! Two reasons we LOVE her too! Thank you for stopping by 😉
Yes, I feel like in this crazy age of technology the significance of reading a good book the old fashioned way is minimalized. Yet, it brings me so much joy. I definitely use Belle’s love of reading to motivate and inspire my daughters.
This is an awesome blog post. I am raising a little girl, 5 years old, and believe me, I am so very proud of her independence and confidence. But, there are definitely times when I know that she is looking at the role models around her to imitate. It’s very difficult to make sure that we provide them the best roadmap to avoid the various downfalls we see that happen to young ladies out there. Thank you for capturing these important DOs.
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You are so welcome. And, yes it is no easy task. Parenting has by far been my greatest challenge in life. It has also brought me the most joy 🙂
These and all the steps you mentioned are all the ways we raised all our children girls and boys. They are all strong individuals who are successful.
This is so great to hear, and what a wonderful job you did parenting your kids. That has to be a wonderful feeling to see them all so successful.
We are so lucky to be raising daughters in an era where their voice actually does matter. Although, still not quite as much as a man’s but we are making progress 🙂
Wise words indeed to empower daughters.
I have boys but this is such a great post!! Maybe someday a little girl is in my future – I’ll have to remember this!
Great tips! I feel like it is much harder for me to raise my daughter, than my son. Maybe since I am a woman.. and perhaps my husband feels the pressure on that side (?)
I love your tip about trying new things! It took me soooo long to learn that change and challenging yourself is a good thing. And it boosts self-esteem! What a great lesson for young girls to learn
It took me until I was 30, which is why I am trying to teach them that skill now. You are SO right! It totally aids in building self-esteem.
These are such great points. It is so important to build confidence in our daughters!
Great post! Such fab wisdom of ways to encourage and build up your daughter. So awesome to have such great role models and examples of woman for daughters to admire
So, true we are lucky to live in an era with such bada** women 😉
Love this post! Soooo good! I will apply this stuff with my nephews, niece and baby on the way 🙂 .
Fabulous, so excited about your little one. I miss those days, I love that the kids are getting older + easier to travel with but I miss the excitement of a new life being brought into the world.
Wow! Great info.
Thank you!!
What a great post, I will do some of these things with my niece
That is awesome to hear. Aunts can play such an important roles as often young girls look up to them.
These are great ideas! I don’t have a daughter (yet!), but I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous for when the day comes. There’s so much pressure on girls to look a certain way and act a certain way, and it’s hard! Granted, that’s true for boys, too – but it’s just different.
Thanks for the reminders 🙂
So true, my three boys have breezed through school whereas my daughter has encountered bullying and shaming since kindergarten and she’s not alone. Most moms I talk to are dealing with similar issues. Being a girl these days is not easy.
I think it’s empowering that Belle did the heroic thing EVEN THOUGH she was scared. She didn’t have an absence of fear, but she did the brave thing in the face of fear.
EXACTLY, it’s that she was frightened and still persevered. She also wasn’t afraid of being different, valued education…. SO MUCH TO LOVE!!! Thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
I LOVE THIS! In a world that’s always trying to tear girls down, anything that helps them grow strong and self-aware is wonderful! Thanks for promoting positive self worth. <3
These are all fabulous habits! I especially like encouraging her to try new things. My daughter is a fairly confident child who has always been fearless, and I think her sense of adventure keeps her level-headed: it reminds her that sometimes things don’t always work out the way you think they will, and that’s totally okay! She’s learned to learn from those moments and keep going. Belle is a great character who embodies all of these things – we love her!
Oh I love this post so much. All the advice are so useful. I had a daughter and never thought of introducing Disney character as a role model for her. Now I can’t wait to watch Beauty and the Beast with her.