My daughter is 5, and let me tell you, she’s a total force of nature. I’m not just saying this because I’m her mom. When she takes a tumble, she wipes the blood off her knee and jumps right back into the action. This year, she was the only girl on her soccer team and ended up being the top scorer. On the playground, she’s the first to stand up against any 5-year-old injustice. Just the other day, she was fuming because the boys wouldn’t let her join their running race—turns out it was because she kept winning!
Being a fierce girl isn’t always a walk in the park. She has strong opinions and big feelings, and I suspect I’ll be visiting her kindergarten teacher a lot next year. But we want her to embrace those incredible traits as she ventures into the world. She speaks her mind, holds us accountable, and never apologizes for being herself.
At 40, I’m still working on some of these very things. Here’s how we plan to keep her fierce:
- Encourage Her Voice
We let her order for herself at restaurants and communicate with adults. If something’s bothering her, we guide her to talk to her teachers directly. - Celebrate Nature’s Wonders
Dirt, bugs, and all things “gross” are just part of life. I’ve never freaked out when a spider crawls on me, so she sees all creatures as friends. - Roughhousing is Routine
WrestleMania happens every night. My husband starts it, and while I can’t always keep up, I’ve read that roughhousing builds resilience and strengthens bonds. - Bodily Functions are a Laugh
Sure, we teach manners, but we also embrace the humor in burps and farts. It’s all part of being human! - Stay Calm in Chaos
When accidents happen—like spills or tumbles—we don’t gasp in horror. We want her to know that mistakes are part of life. - Thought-Provoking Playtime
We steer clear of just dolls and dresses. She loves building towers and creating intricate train tracks just as much as playing princess. - Provide Badass Role Models
I may not be quite as fierce as she is, but I did learn to ski at 38 and I often challenge myself in new ways, like co-producing a national show while facing my fear of public speaking. - Embrace Choices and Failures
Celebrating failures is hard, but we do it! We believe that learning from mistakes now will help her make better choices later. - Trusting Her Instincts
Every kid has that inner voice that signals when something feels off. Our job is to nurture that intuition, not undermine it. - Active Listening
We do our best to truly listen when she speaks. She has a lot to say, and it’s important for her to know we’re paying attention. - Wilderness Skills
She’s learned how to pee outdoors. Yep, it’s a crucial life skill! - Mutual Respect
We discuss the right way to communicate. You can’t order me around, and I won’t order you around either—except maybe when you’re belting out tunes at 10 PM. - Crying is Healthy
Crying is a natural release, and I want her to know it’s a strength, not a weakness. A good cry can be cathartic! - Explore New Experiences
We expose her to a variety of activities—like skateboarding, treehouse building, and gold mining—to see what sparks her interest. - Letting Go of Perfection
She often leaves the house looking like she dressed in the dark, but allowing her to pick her own clothes empowers her, so I just let it slide.
So that’s our plan. She’s only 5, and we have a long road ahead. But I’m optimistic that when she grows up, she’ll be an unstoppable force. Here’s hoping we survive her childhood in the meantime!
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Summary:
Raising a fierce girl is about encouraging independence, resilience, and self-expression. From teaching her to advocate for herself to embracing her interests, these tips focus on fostering confidence and strength. By providing diverse experiences and role models, we aim to empower her to navigate the world with courage and authenticity.