This post was sponsored by Halestorm as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
Our oldest daughter amazes us everyday. Like so many parents, we know our first child is incredible. She is smart and kind and funny. She is confident and passionate and beautiful. She is honest and curious and driven. Our eight year old daughter is so much more than everything we could have hoped for. She has many talents and as I watch her excel everyday a piece of me feels disheartened knowing the harsh world she has yet to experience. We tell her she is amazing everyday and do our best to help her understand we can conquer anything together. Halestorm’s new video for the song Dear Daughter is a beautiful reminder that girls can grow up to be anything they want to be but the road there isn’t easy. It’s a reminder of the words every girl should have the chance to hear, that they will always have a shoulder to lean on through ups and downs. Halestorm is a GRAMMY® Award-winning hard rock band. Lead singer Lzzy Hale is an inspiration to girls of all ages who have big dreams and a moving tribute to parents raising strong confident daughters.
As a mom I’ve spent the last almost nine years doing my very best to make sure my daughters know they are loved and will always have our support. They are both growing up knowing they can be anything they want to be. That doesn’t mean they won’t feel the harsh disappointments and face growing pains; it means I will make sure everyday they know I am here beside them to make it not feel so hard. At just eight years old we have already walked through so many tough topics I don’t remember ever experiencing at her young age. School is different. Friends are different. Challenges are different. My baby isn’t a baby and I’m learning right along with her how to be the parent of a strong confident daughter.
Our oldest daughter has many different interests. She excels at most everything she is committed to and the opportunities ahead of her are limitless. She is the SeaWorld Guest Kid Blogger. She loves all animals and is the best pet mommy to her many pets including her favorite hedgehog, Skittles. She cares very much about the ocean and marine animals.
She is the youngest on her competitive rock climbing team.
Among many other things like being a great hockey player and swimmer, she also attends an academically challenging school and is the very best big sister. Our oldest daughter is so much and we can’t wait to see where her passions will lead her.
Being a parent isn’t about making sure our children don’t face challenges. It’s about making sure they don’t face them alone. Year after year, stand or fall I will be here for you.
Our daughter grew up with a deep love for nature and insects. She was the quirky little girl that would sneak into her preschool garden to look for bugs. I was worried because she often spent playtime alone. It wasn’t until her preschool teacher shared with me why she was alone did I change my attitude from concern to pride. When asked to join games on the playground she happily would say, “no thanks, I want to see the bugs in the garden.” And when other children told her bugs were gross or science was for boys, she would tell them she didn’t care because it is what she likes. That attitude of following her own dreams will take her far places and I couldn’t be more proud knowing it’s because everyday we celebrated her interests. What do you do to make sure your daughters are growing up strong and confident?
Make sure you share the words that every girl should have a chance to hear in Halestorm‘s Dear Daughter. Enter to win one of 10 Halestorm merchandise prize packages now through May 16.
I-C will randomly select winners from all program entries and will facilitate fulfillment of the winning prizes (10).
Learn more about Halestorm by connecting with the band on Facebook and Twitter.
This is a beautiful post. I don’t have any children as yet but I have two nieces who I want to grow into strong women who have belief in themselves and know that they can do anything, but as you pointed out, the road isn’t always easy!!
I do this with my boys. I always tell them that they can do anything they want. And I truly hope they do 🙂
I have two kids and my oldest is going to be 22 very soon. And for both of them I certainly encourage them to dream big and reach for the stars. And I don’t focus on the things that they struggle with and try to give them positive encouragement and the things that I know they can accomplish .
Aw… love the mindfulness of this post in empowering girls to be exactly who they are and who they want to be! These photos of her enjoying life are precious!
I love this post, and I strongly believe and believe in working towards the same goals for any child. We try our best to to raise them strong emotionally and physically….so they realize the full potential
I think as a mom it’s our duty to make sure we are empowering all our kids. I know for me it’s been a struggle with my girls as they have dealt with situations with peers that make them seriously low ones self esteem. But I work hard and building it back up!
Your daughter is beautiful, I love that you encourage her to follow her dreams. I think it is important to support children no matter what they want to do x
What a beautiful post. Your daughter sounds a lot like my youngest. She loves bugs and animals, and would skip friends to hang outside to search for critters any day. I really loved this post!
I don’t have a daughter. Maybe someday but I tell my oldest son to do whatever his heart allows him and that anything is possible.
It is important to empower the little women of tomorrow! What a sweet idea for a post! Strong daughters make stronger women!
My daughter is EVERYTHING to me! Every day I want to instill in her the morals and values my mom instilled in me. I want her to be fearless and strong no matter what comes her way! There is power in this post!
This is a beautiful song! I have always loved Halestorm, and this is a wonderful ballad that to me is much different than their other music. I have a daughter (and a son) who I am doing my best to raise as empowered and independent, but loving and kind.
So true! I was just talking on my blog about how important it is to teach our kids to dream big!
I think it’s awesome that you’re doing this with your daughters. Empowering them and giving them the support they need to build their confidence and follow their dreams is important especially during these times.
I make sure to empower my daughter as well. Life is not that easy when you’re a woman especially when you’re trying to break the status quo and follow what’s really in your heart. Our daughters really need all the support that we can give them.
As a parent, I do feel it is my job to help my daughter through whatever challenge comes her way. Whether it’s just standing by her or providing guidance. Life is full of ups and downs and it’s always nice when you have someone by your side to share the journey with.
Even though it is 2017, being a woman still comes with many challenges. Empowering future generations is so important. They just might be the ones to finally make the world see just how much we can and do contribute.
Oh my goodness! I looks like you have definitely set your daughter on the path of being confident in who she is. She is adorable. Your pictures gave me so many ideas of things to do with my future daughters.
This was a beautiful post as well as an inspiring one… as a mother of 3 beautiful young ladies… i have always encouraged them to be whatever and whoever they want to be… be true to themselves and to live their lives to best of their ability… and when they need me… i will be there!
Yay! I Love this! Such a beautiful post filled with amazing photos! 🙂 Through every challenge comes victory.
I just love this! Your pictures in this post are so beautiful too! As a mom of a daughter, I really have to agree and I love giving my daughter the confidence to do anything!
It is so important to let your daughters know that you will always be there for them. After all, there will be times when they will need you and that’s when you have to be there for them. You are heading down the right path.
I love the message that they can be strong women that can do anything they want. My daughter is quite the strong personality so I can’t wait to see what she will do when she is older.
Omg just a beautiful post!!! Your daughter is definitely a cutie!!! I have a daughter so I know how important it is to build up our girls so they have the confidence they need to conquer all in life
As an educator I understand all too well the importance of empowering young girls and women in this way. It’s crucial to their self perception and growth.