There came a time during the toddler-hood of my oldest daughter when I stopped reading the baby books. The kind that offer all kinds of well meaning but conflicting advice on how to raise your kids. When you've kept alive a kid for several years in a row, you either start to feel like you know what you're doing, or else you just say "Screw it, I'll wing it from here on out." And for the most part, that works for me. I also have a pretty strong network of mom friends. I pay attention to what works for them, and try new things from time to time.
Where I do feel like I might be lacking is in special knowledge regarding raising girls. I have two. I dread the time when they will both be teenagers and there will not be near enough hair dryers or bathrooms in our house. That's why I'm greatly looking forward to a parent education talk called "Raising our Daughters" to be held at Rieke Elementary on January 22 from 7 to 8:30pm. Kathy Masarie, a pediatrician who left her practice to found the non-profit Full Esteem Ahead. Her talk will focus on understanding the conflicting pressures that young girls in elementary and middle schools experience. The cost of the presentation is $10 (payable via check in the Rieke Elementary office). Seating is limited to 65 people.
When I was a teacher, I saw girls, at about age 13, refrain from showing their knowledge and abilities so I strongly recommend parents of girls study up to avoid their daughter's dumbing down her ability. This evening could help a daughter stay on a higher road of knowledge and education.
Posted by: Dianne | 09 January 2009 at 09:05 PM