Image: Raising Healthy Girls
Reflect
Back in school, teachers often gave us early-year assignments that involved describing who we are.
The exercises were meant for the teacher to get to know us better, but in the process we were also learning about ourselves.
O is intent on growing and like most kids her age, it's a job that they dutifully attend to!
Height is a huge deal and she compares the heights of each of us, bottles, pencils and anything else that can turn into a mommy, daddy, baby and big sister!
She was intrigued to learn I was about to help her create something on a massive sheet of paper and a big smile appeared when she saw her own 'reflection'.
Draw
I avoided offering hints, tips or instructions about her image.
The point was for her to delve into her personal image of herself and not how I perceive her.
She conversed with her image and referred to her as 'Olivia'.
There was a little alter ego festival emerging!
Little Sister
Then she suggested we trace her wee sis!
Baby C is all smiles whenever she is included, so that was a good call.
Her hands are too wiggly to trace, so O asked why she was "wearing mittens" and then drew in proper fingers!
Finally she decided that I should just cut out the face...and she inserted her own;)
Finally she decided that I should just cut out the face...and she inserted her own;)
EXPAND ON GIRL POWER
A Mighty Girl. Raising girls aware of their powers is more than modeling. Recently, a fellow Sarah (and all-round sweetie) brought to my attention the amazing site A Mighty Girl http://www.amightygirl.com/
A million types of media that can aid discussions about girl power.
Heroines. For Christmas, Santa brought a book I've been eyeing Fearless Girls, Wise Women and Beloved Sisters http://www.amazon.ca/Fearless-Girls-Women-Beloved-Sisters/dp/0393320464
It's stories from around the world, with heroines as the main characters. O loves stories of all kinds. so we've already begun reading these. Reading her books with no pictures is an exercise of the imagination (and a lesson in interpretation!)
Sister Blogs. The same sweet Sarah as mentioned above, also brought to my attention, the blog of a woman I happened to go to school with. She writes articles on how she raises her son to be a feminist. Good, raw and well-written reads! http://ourfeministplayschool.ca/
Her main page today features the quote,
"All mothers are working mothers."
Though I refrain from referring to Motherhood as a 'job'....it definitely is a piece of work with masterpieces to show for it!
Her main page today features the quote,
"All mothers are working mothers."
Though I refrain from referring to Motherhood as a 'job'....it definitely is a piece of work with masterpieces to show for it!