for my girl...

these days i've been thinking a lot. a lot about what it is to raise a girl today. about how everywhere you look there are images of what a girl should look like, and how they should act. it's a discussion that's been had many times before, but to be a mother of a little girl suddenly makes it all very relevant.

with summer upon us i can't help but be aware of my own self conscious body issues. they've been there for as long as i can remember, and i couldn't for the life of me tell you where they come from. the feeling has it's peaks and valleys, but by all accounts i couldn't say i've always been 100% comfortable with my body. this feeling, the one that shows it ugly head when i just can't seem to find something to wear that feels right, is not a feeling i ever want to pass on to penny. she's going to get bombarded by it when she's older, and i want to protect her from that for as long as i possibly can. i can't help but see myself through her eyes now, so i'm making a promise now to you penny...

i promise you will never here me belittle myself because of my appearance...

i promise i will never ever talk about dieting, or weight, in any way in front of you...

i promise to never not take you swimming simply because i don't feel like wearing a bathing suit...

i promise to always compliment you for your qualities that have nothing to do with your looks...

and above all else,

i promise to be a woman you can look up to. to never seem weak, to always be what you need me to be, and teach you to never, even for a second, doubt yourself. 

this is a lot to promise, but for you my little girl, i promise to try!