How to Encourage Our Young Girls to "Love Who They Are"

Playing with dolls, fairy tales, daddy's little princess...these are some of the natural things that come to mind when thinking of little girls. But today innocent girls face Britney looks, makeovers and cosmetic surgery, extreme competition, media and the internet. Life is tough enough but the pressure of perfection has become so crucial that our young children, particularly girls have overwhelming, unrealistic obstacles to overcome. How can we gain control over such pressure and influence? There is no simple, pat answer but tough times that call for tough action to gain ground in helping our children.

Without even trying, we model our values. Parents especially demonstrate to their children what they consider important and valuable by their on actions and activities. "Like father, like son" is not just a well known cliché but a truth repeated in our homes everyday. They are influenced by what they see and hear you do whether you or they realize it or not.

Girls particularly, crave structure - it provides security and helps them navigate in their decision making. Help them understand who they are and the world around them that attempts to entice them to see their distorted, perverse ways as acceptable and right. The Bible says in provide, guard you heart & mind, what your eyes see and your ears hear.

Here are some rational suggestions:

Stay involved and advised about your daughter's activities and friends. Monitor technology sources (cell phones, web interaction, etc.) to prevent perpetrators or intruders. Although this may be seen as invasion, who would you prefer invade their boundaries, you or someone else?

Create special times with your daughter each week, one on one, when you can ask her questions about her life and become more fully aware of who and whose she is (not just yours, but God's princess) and she can openly communicate with you. Make this time sacred and let her know it's important to you and that she can always come to you.

Provide Christian women role models and allow your daughters to enjoy being female. There are those who are not Christians that are "good, inspiring" women but what foundations do they have and what do they offer when nothing earthly can help?

Nothing can ever substitute your love and affection. Allow your daughters to enjoy being valued and the precious jewel God ordained.

Other thoughts and advice to share:

• Reiterate what the Bible says, that it's ok to be yourself, for we were all "fearfully and wonderfully made"
• No one is perfect and ever will be in this world
• There is more to life than how you look
• Have fun!

It's NOT up to schools or a village or the government to raise our girls or to make decisions about their life choices or education, but the parents and those guardians are responsible for these choices.