Girls live in such a high pressure world, they definately need our reassurance
of their worth in the home. The pressure to dress like everyone else is there, along with wearing certain brand names
in clothing, shoes, and even the style they wear their hair. Fashion actually brings about some ridiculous ideas, and
sadly our girls don't always recognize this-the only thing some of them see is that they want to be popular and be part of
the "in" clique, and they think that their clothing is what will cause this to happen. It's become the style
to wear clothing very tight and clingy, no matter if you are thin or heavy, and to show much more skin that even a grown woman
should ever show(not that modesty should have an age attached to it). But there are mothers out there who have said
"NO WAY" to some of these provocative styles, whether their daughters have understood or not.
Fortunately, home is still a great place to encourage and reassure our girls of
how fantastic they are without the skin tight clothing and the other ridiculous styles that we've
said no to. Teach your daughter that there is a difference between "trend" and "class". Compliment
her for her classiness in appearance and demeanor. Remind her that covering herself modestly is a form of self-respect.
She may not understand completely today, but she'll look back and be thankful that you didn't let her do everything that blew
by in the wind. By no means am I trying to tell you to make your daughters dress in a way that will bring ridicule,
or that they should wear 1800th century clothing. They can absolutely buy new clothing that is modest and beautiful,
without giving in(sometimes with your help) to the pressures of styles that promote the wrong message.
Still compliment her hair, her eyes, her smile, and the things that are beautiful
about her, not her clothes. But of course, let her know how pretty a color looks on her, or
how flattering her outfit is, etc. I think you know what I'm saying. (And here's a little hint--don't tell your daughter that a color makes her look pretty--that's the wrong way to say
what you mean. Tell her that a certain color looks pretty on her! The first way accidentally implies she's not
pretty, and compliments the color over her. The second way compliments her over the color-she
makes the color look good!)
Continually
encourage her to develop character traits-care, compassion for others, kindness-and help her to realize what true beauty is.
(And here's a little hint--don't tell your daughter that a color makes her look pretty--that's the wrong way to say
what you mean. Tell her that a certain color looks pretty on her! The first way accidentally implies she's not
pretty, and compliments the color over her. The second way compliments her over the color-she
makes the color look good!)
