RAISING A STRONG DAUGHTER - WEEK 3 - CHAPTER 2

RAISING A STRONG DAUGHTER IN A TOXIC CULTURE: 11 STEPS TO KEEP HER HAPPY, HEALTHY, AND SAFE by Meg Meeker, M.D.

Wow, I wish I could show you guys a picture of what my chapter looks like. I highlighted a ton. Not only did I find this very practical in regards to my girls, but boy, it made me think back to my own teen years.

The four big questions -i think all of us would agree we have wrestled with these whether consciously or subconsciously. I would throw one more in to the list: What is my purpose? (Not just realizing I have been created for a purpose, but specifically, what is that purpose?)

One of the biggest take aways from this chapter - the fact that our girls need us. They need to know that we value them. That they are our earthly treasure (all our kids are). That they are so much more than the jobs they perform. Can anyone else resonate with the burnout that comes from feeling that we are just "what we bring" to someone? (That doesn't necessarily go away when we're adults, does it? ) If there's distance in the relationship between you and your daughter, it's time for a serious heart-to-heart. Start by praying before you step into that spot. Ask the Lord to give you the words to say.

I love helping my kids be able to connect and accomplish something. I've been guilty of thinking that that will help them be stronger in their lives. However, we all know that sometimes the "bottom falls out" in life, and when it does there has to be something stronger than accomplishments in sports, art, music, education, etc. We all know adults that are still stuck in their high school glory days, because that's the only place they ever felt successful. (Can anyone say Uncle Rico from Napoleon Dynamite? ) That's not where I want my daughters to end up.

I loved the part where Dr. Meeker talks about complimenting our daughters' character versus their performance. I will be striving to implement that a lot more!

How about the part that pointed out that moral standards can't form when subjective morality is present? Wishy washy doesn't work. It's never respected, and it never results in a true foundation. The result is teens standing on shifting sand, sinking in uncertainty.

 Our girls can make it! No matter what life throws my daughter's way time keeps moving forward and the sun still rises. She can handle it with God's help. You better believe I'll be there cheering her on as well, but with God in her corner, there is strength that she can draw from to take her through anything.

This chapter was excellent! I'd love to hear your takeaways! Share away, and then go spend some time strengthening your relationship with your daughter!