One of the best commercials during the Super Bowl was the one on self-esteem and confidence for young girls.  Having never had boys I cannot begin to address the issue with them.  I have, however, had experience with my own daughters.

At every stage in a young girl's life, self-confidence and self-esteem play a major role.  All young girls have some issues.  Either they are gawky, too skinny, too fat, have acne, or whatever else they see in themselves.  Many wear braces and/or glasses.  But Mom, you as a role model can help if they are unhappy with what they see in the mirror.  You can constantly build their confidence, let them believe in themselves.  You can also let them work on their best assets.

And Moms...NEVER EVER say something personally hateful, no matter how angry you may get at your child.  That one remark, you may regret instantly, but it will stay with your daughter forever.

I'm not a perfect mom.  No one is.  As I used to say to my daughters, "I didn't come with an instruction manual on how to be the perfect Mom."  I've made mistakes, but recently I realized happily that I did something right.

As many of you know from my past column Realizing a Dream, I am becoming a Bat Mizvah this June.  Our Cantor asked for volunteers to read Torah.  I eagerly said "Yes" but then, when he opened a Torah scroll for us, I quickly said "no."  I asked if my daughter could read my portion in my place.  He agreeed and when I asked my older daughter she also said yes.  A week later my other daughter called to say she and her big sister had discussed my request and they were surprised.  She proceeded to remind me that I had always told them they could do anything, be anything, if they tried and if they worked hard.  Here I was, giving up without at least trying.  Talk about your own words coming back to haunt you!!

Five days have passed since I received the CD of my Torah portion and I know it!  I can chant it!  I still need the help of the CD, but I have 4 months to go and I will learn it.  I'm proud of myself, but more proud of my wonderful daughters.  They not only learned a great lesson, but were strong enough to teach it back to me.

So as my Mama always said, "I wish for you, what you wish for yourself."

 

Buddee

 

By the way, if you have any questions, or have ideas for something you’d like me to write about, email my daughter and she’ll tell me (I’d say to email me, but…well…let’s just say I’d won’t be giving advice on how to use a computer.)

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