Every mother seeks to be her daughter’s first and closest friend, especially starting from childhood, particularly as the daughter enters late childhood and approaches adolescence. This period is crucial due to the emotional fluctuations that young girls experience, as they become highly sensitive to situations and, due to hormonal changes in their bodies, seek love and understanding from others.
Building a close relationship with your daughter during her early teenage years is one of the most important tasks for any mother, and it’s essential to succeed in this endeavor. In a special interview with "nadormagazine and Your Child," educational counselor Naela Issa shared some valuable tips that can help you become your daughter’s best friend during adolescence. Here are some of the key secrets:
Give Her Special Gifts
It’s essential to understand how gifts can influence a child’s behavior and boost their self-confidence. Gifts have a stronger impact on girls, who often enjoy receiving special presents that make them feel beautiful and feminine. This sense of femininity begins early, and you’ll notice your daughter trying to be elegant and owning special items from a young age.
Give your daughter gifts that match her personality and body type, without exaggeration. Avoid giving her expensive gifts that might give her unrealistic expectations, and choose gifts that are appropriate for her age. Stationery items with lovely colors, especially those that reflect her personality, are great examples of thoughtful gifts.
Praise Her Beauty
Always shower your daughter, who is approaching adolescence, with praise about her beauty. Compliment her as she begins to transition into becoming a young lady. This constant appreciation helps answer an important question many mothers have: how can I raise a strong and authentic daughter? Confidence comes from feeling appreciated and loved.
Make sure to avoid criticizing her appearance in front of others, especially as she undergoes hormonal changes that may lead to skin imperfections such as acne. When dealing with these changes, offer support gently without drawing attention to them or being too harsh. Keep complimenting her inner beauty, such as her kindness and intelligence.
Encourage Your Son to Respect Her
Encourage your son to treat his sister with respect, kindness, and love. It’s essential for brothers to acknowledge their sisters’ feelings and treat them with gentleness. In many cultures, girls may feel inferior to their brothers due to societal expectations, but mothers can counter this by encouraging their sons to help their sisters around the house and compliment them. This can significantly boost your daughter’s confidence and self-esteem.
Additionally, fostering a friendship between your daughter and her brother is essential. Make sure she never feels she is secondary to him. Help your husband build a close bond with your daughter so she feels valued in the family. This emotional support from both parents strengthens her self-worth and builds her sense of belonging and security.
Stop Emotional Manipulation
Avoid using conditional love with your daughter, as some mothers might use emotional manipulation or bargaining, such as saying, "If you do this, I will love you more," or "If you do that, you won’t go on the school trip." These methods cause anxiety and uncertainty, and can make your daughter feel like she’s constantly trying to please you. Instead, focus on understanding her needs and discussing her interests without resorting to emotional blackmail. She’s at an age where she will make mistakes, just like any adult, and it’s your responsibility to guide her without creating emotional scars.
Support Her Talents and Encourage Her
Pay attention to your daughter’s talents and become her biggest cheerleader. Girls tend to have strong intellectual abilities and a deep desire to learn, especially since they spend a lot of time at home. It’s easy to invest this time in helping her grow. Encourage her to explore her hobbies and develop her skills.
Use positive reinforcement and encouraging words to boost her confidence and motivate her to succeed. Be patient, especially with your daughter, as she navigates the changes in her interests and goals. Understanding and supporting her during this phase will help her succeed and excel in whatever she chooses to pursue in the future.
By being emotionally supportive, praising her appearance and personality, encouraging her interests, and fostering healthy sibling relationships, you can form a strong and lasting bond with your daughter, helping her grow into a confident and capable young woman.
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