Tonight I was asked by the mom of a newborn baby girl if I had any fears being the mother of a daughter and fear for her. I very honestly told her that my fear gets worse steadily. Sometimes I look around and I think we’re making progress in our attitudes toward women and equality. Then there are weeks like this past one, where a boy who was told no by a girl (repeatedly for four months), decided her rejection of him as a romantic partner deserved death and took her life and the lives of 9 others.
Then I think of the times where men/boys were inappropriate to me growing up, and the lack of courage or awareness I had to tell them to stop, and that what they were doing was wrong. Sometimes I wonder how I, a girl with a naturally timid personality, can teach my daughter to be strong and to stand up for herself. That she has the right to tell someone no and maintain ownership of her own person. That she has the right to fight back if she’s being mistreated or abused.
I think, for the most part I’m doing an okay job of raising a little girl who will be a strong, empowered woman…but sometimes I just feel overwhelmed by the task and don’t know how I’m going to pull it off. Maybe those fears aren’t rational. I have an anxiety disorder, so I’m willing to admit that there’s a (strong) possibility they’re not, but that’s where I am and who I am at this point in my life.
Kindness in the Chaos 