in defense of girls

as a parent of 2 girls and 1 boy i find myself roaming about between the camps. you know the ones. the boys camp where everything is science and dirt and trucks and sports. the girls camp where all is frilly and bejeweled and bow-wearing-princesses. i search the internet so that i can print out BOY paper dolls wearing cowboy get-up or pirate costumes. the girls have their own hotwheels. they all love nature and science, they all love dress-up, they all love art.

i have heard families with only boys say they cannot imagine the drama of living with girls. i have to say, my boy is sometimes dramatic and my girls have been known to be pretty tough. i don't wanna hop on the soapbox of stereotype but seriously. who says that girls are weak and whiney? hopefully, these girls of mine will someday exhibit the most profound strength as they bring a new baby into this world. they will bear the heartwrenching fear when they cannot protect their children at all times. these girls, they will be the support upon which their husbands can rest. girls are strong. their feet just sometimes hover a few inches off the ground. their hearts just sometimes cannot be contained by their little bodies and bubbles out in song and dance. so what if we indulge them in a little fairy tale when they are small? soon enough they will be weighted down with the world.

i don't really mind the stereotype that all girls like pink and sparkles, because the truth is, most do...its PRETTY, for petes sake! what i do mind is the thought that pink and sparkly = weak and full of unneccesary drama. no, my girl plays with superman in her snow white gown. the truth is, strength and beauty can happen in the same person....and it happens in each of my girls. if we would like for them to grow up and believe that they are strong and capable we need to tell them that they are, now.

and while i am at it, every child needs comfort and compassion when they fall down in whatever way. they all need to hear, "i see your pain, i know it hurts, but you CAN get back up. i will help you." boys can be comforted and still turn out tough.

well, guess i dragged out the soapbox anyway. every mom has a few, sometimes we need to stand on them to get a better view of our own lives.