I love “A Mighty Girl.” I follow them on Facebook and love most of their posts. I find them inspiring and educational – and important for girls and women.
I saw this post on facebook just before I went to sleep last night. It is probably one of my favorites! I try to teach my daughter this every day. When we talk, we talk about what she is learning, her homework, her music, her interests, what is going on with her friends, and her educational goals. I hear so many moms talking to their girls about boys, who is cute, who has a crush on whom, etc. (btw, I don’t hear them talking like this with their sons). That is just not important to us. Yes, I know when my daughter thinks a boy is cute, or has a crush on someone, and she know she can talk to us about things like that. However, that is not a focus of any of our daily conversations. She is too young for that. I hear moms in kindergarten talking to their kids about things like that. Really? Let them be kids. They don’t need to worry about who is cute and having crushes on others.
We teach ALL of our kids that an education is one of the most important things they need to accomplish. It is that important. We sacrifice to save money for their college savings accounts and make sure that college is within their reach and always a goal.
I was one of those kids with good grades, did their homework first thing, did projects weeks before they were due, and would write reports for fun (yes for fun! Weird, huh?). I knew from an early age what I wanted to do. My parents always encouraged us. When we wanted to be doctors, my mom would go out and buy us skeletons, stethoscope (real ones!), etc. to learn about that profession (I do have a brother who is a Nurse now!). They always encouraged us to explore and research our interests. We traveled. We learned about the world around us.
When I went to college (at 16!), I knew I wouldn’t sacrifice my college or education for anything. My goal had always been a college degree. Marriage was never even in my thoughts. When I met my husband, he knew that my education came first. I wouldn’t have fallen in love or married him had he ever asked me to sacrifice my education or future for him. I graduated college before I even entertained the idea of having kids. Many may not have the same thoughts or ideals as I do, but for me, my education was the most important and I don’t regret that for a second.
Even though I am currently a Domestic Engineer, I use my education ALL THE TIME. One of the areas I studied was Autism. I know that I was lead to research and study it. Little did I know at the time, I would have a child with Autism. I use my education for finances and investing, to be sure we have a healthy future and robust retirement. We are able to live well on one income and save for our future. There is so much I am able to do myself, instead of paying others (with an education) to do for us. I am able to teach my children so many of the skills and lesson I learned. I am constantly trying to learn and teach myself new things. If there is something that I don’t know about, and need to know, I search it out and do research until I become educated on that subject.
I am of firm belief that when we educate women, we don’t just educate one person, we educate generations. Now believe me, I have 3 boys – their education is just as important to me and they know that their education is of the utmost importance (even if the 10-year-old grumbles about it… but he still talks about what he is going to study when he goes to college). I would totally be a tiger mom, if I didn’t have so many kids, and weren’t so tired all the time.
No boy (or girl – listen up my boys!) is “that” special enough for you to sacrifice your education. If they are truly “the one” they will encourage your ambitions and goals, not try to derail them. You never know what your future will hold and what the needs of your family or life will be. Life can take unexpected turns. Your education will only help and enhance that future.
Reach for the stars. Break the glass ceiling. Follow your goals and passions. You are smart, you are beautiful, you have many talents to share, and you can do anything you set your mind to!
