Talking to Kids...especially little girls

As I read this article (You can read the article here and here) ...it hit me that I do this with kids. Probably because I''m nervous and don't know what to talk to them about so complimenting something about them physically is the easiest thing to do. My niece, for example, I always tell her she looks very pretty because, well, she does. But I need to start thinking of other ways to engage with her without making her feel that all I think is important are outside appearances. 





I feel like sometimes we don't give kids enough credit, they do understand, they can critically think, discuss and offer valid and very truthful opinions on important subjects. Sometimes as an "adult" (I say this in quotations because I still feel like a kid most of the time) it is easy to forget how it felt to be a kid and how frustrating it was that adults didn't think you could understand what they were talking about.

So thank you Bethany for re-posting this article because I will take on this challenge. Hopefully I will make enough of an impact as someone she looks up to, to know she is beautiful inside and out. As part of my decision to change how I interact, I found this organization, Confidence Coalition, to help parents or anyone in contact with kids, or adults for that matter,  learn how to boost someone else's confidence.


I signed the pledge, can you?
 
Today, I pledge to be more confident in myself and my abilities.
I will be forgiving and generous to myself and others. I will embrace my unique beauty and do my best to ignore the stereotypes portrayed in the media. I will encourage those around me to focus on their true beauty. I will refrain from negative self-talk and be a role model to the girls in my life. I pledge to be less judgmental and more forgiving of myself and the women and girls in my life.
I will not attempt to sabotage anyone else’s self-confidence. I will not participate in any forms of physical or emotional abuse including bullying, cyberbullying, gossiping, hazing, exclusion, humiliation and coercion. I will lift up the women with whom I interact at work, in the community, and in my everyday life. I will treat others as I would want to be treated.
I will have the confidence to stand up for myself and others. I will not let pressure from other people lead me to forgo my values. I will respect myself enough to say “NO” to people and situations that are unhealthy to my well-being. I will not stay in an abusive relationship. I will offer support and guidance to my friends and others who may be involved in abusive relationships. I will encourage the girls and women in my life to live by their values.
By joining with others, I will make the world a better place for all women and girls. I will encourage confidence in myself, my friends, my family and others.

Operation Beautiful – Leave your Post-It out today!

“When you consider yourself valuable you will take care of yourself in all ways that are necessary.” --M. Scott Peck