Mothering Girls

Dear Girls,

When we set out as parents, we didn't really set out with a deliberate philosophy 

about how we would teach you to be good, kind people.  

We figured it would just happen.  

We had all sorts of ideas about how we would generally parent-

strict schedule, not a lot of television or treats, never would we co-sleep, use pacifiers, bottles, etc. 

 Like MANY others, our standards dropped far below 

the "super judgmental" to reasonable-ish.  

We kept the schedule and gave up on most of the rest.

For the most part, you two have been mild in terms of your social issues. 

I am not saying we have a warranty and can return you for repairs.

This week, not so much.

I searched for a warranty, or at least an owners

We have had a few gut checks this week. 

We heard from other parents about behavior that was not only unkind, but cruel.

Your behavior.

We KNOW you are good, kind people.

Why are you treating others with such cruelty? 

We don't know.

Far more important than that, we want you to treat others with compassion and kindness.

This week, we didn't see that.

Worst of all, you are not treating each other with compassion and kindness.

In these situations I arm myself with as much information as possible.

Luckily for you two and daddy, books for everyone.

You two came home to an American Girl book!

I would say this is already a hit and a great conversation starter about 

what healthy friendship means.

Daddy is the lucky recipient of the #1 best seller 

when you type "parenting girls" into the Amazon search box.

 (Note- I am pretty sure about 1% of sales of this book have been by dads, 

and 99% are moms buying their husbands/co-parents this book and making them read it, 

which is absolutely the case here.)

For myself, just your average Tuesday reading.

So girls, while we are not perfect parents, you can bet your a*&es we have  

ZERO tolerance for the behavior we have been seeing from you.

Your school's theme this year is:

"Do good, kind things, which show that you are a child of God."

We will learn new tools, you will learn new tools. 

We will do better.

Immediately.

xoxo

mom