"I don't know what I should be when I grow up," Natalie once told me. "I think I want to be a vet. But then I wonder if I should be a people doctor. But then you told me I had to go to school for years and that according to Grey's Anatomy it's nothing but drama, so I don't know." She sighed. "Or maybe I'll be a mommy like you."
"I also write," I reminded her.
She settled down beside me. She rested her head on my shoulder. "What should I do?"
I kissed the top of her head. "Anything you want to be. You can be a mommy and writer like me. You can be a soldier like your Daddy. You can be a Colonel like your Nona and be in charge of a bunch of men."
Natalie sighed. "I guess we'll see."
"I guess we will."
We went to see Wonder Woman and Natalie was in awe. She's always known about Wonder Woman. I've always known about Wonder Woman. It was my costume when I was about five:
I knew she kicked butt.
Natalie knows she kicks butt. It's why she proudly wore her Wonder Woman leotard during gymnastics:
"She was brave," Natalie informed me. "She didn't let the men tell her what to do."
"No. Don't ever let a man tell you what to do. A man you want in your life will support and love you for who you are. He'll respect your opinion. Do not ever buy into the whole 'men are superior' concept. You respect your husband and he respects you but the final say never needs to be up to him. Your father and I have an understanding. It was tough in the beginning, but he eventually understood that I would never leave the decisions up to him."
Natalie nodded.
"You have strong genes in you. Don't ever let anyone squash them."
"I don't. I do things when people say I can't."
"Well. When you did this walk across the bars, it terrified Mommy."
"Boys were telling me I couldn't do it! So I did it."
"I'll always be strong."
"I'll always be me."
Posts
She seems like such a smart cookie! And she's beautiful! Watch out world!
ReplyDeleteShe's so cute. I love Natalie! And I've never even met her. Haha!
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like such a strong smart girl. I think it's great that you let her know she can be or do anything!
ReplyDeleteTrue in all your words. I love Natalie! She's so adorable!
ReplyDeleteWhat a precious and smart kid you've got! True wonder and true woman!
ReplyDeleteYou have such an adorable and brave daughter. I love that she is not easily swayed by other people's opinion.
ReplyDeleteSuch a great conversation with your daughter! I agree that ever woman is a wonder woman, we just have to recognize it!
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! :) What an awesome girl you are raising!
ReplyDeleteWhat an adorable little Wonder Woman! I love that girls of this generation are growing up knowing that with hard work and focused intent, they can be anything they choose to be. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is a really nice post! She seems super clever! It is really nice to read that girls are growing up with strong role model and not trying to resemble disney princesses anymore! xx corinne
ReplyDeleteI love that she is already so sure of who she is and that you are raising such a strong girl! I do believe that there is a Wonder Woman in all of us!
ReplyDeleteNow she has it all down right, it sounds like she really knows what she thinks and she is right there is a Wonder Women in us all.
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like such a strong young woman! As a fellow nerd mama, I love that she's into Wonder Woman and Star Wars. I'm hoping to take my son to see the newest Wonder Woman movie this week!
ReplyDeleteI like the girl she is shaping up to be! The teenage years might be a little tough. My friend and I joke because we are also raising strong confident girls and it gets a little tough handling them in the teen years :) But hopefully they will continue to set and accomplish their goals and not compromise goals or themselves unless they feel its right. (Stepping down from the soap box)
ReplyDeleteOoh. I heard that Wonder Woman is a big hit! I know kids love a lot of things and have a hard time deciding what they want to be. They’ll eventually know.
ReplyDeleteYes there really is! Love that you are raising your daughter to be strong! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter sounds like she is growing up right! I love how confident she is - you're doing great Mom!
ReplyDeleteSuch a cute story. It sounds like you guys have an amazing bond.
ReplyDeleteMichelle | She's Not So Basic
That's such a great story. Heck, I still don't know what all I wanna be! I wish we could just be everything at once! She'll rock no matter what she does.
ReplyDeleteSo awesome to be raising your girl to be brave and confident. I remember as a girl wearing Underroos and jumping off the tables saying "WONDER WOMAN"
ReplyDeleteI love this so much. Natalie sounds like a strong and confident young woman who is going places in life.
ReplyDeleteLove your daughter's attitude! Isn't it fun that Wonder Woman was so empowering to us, and now, again for the kiddos!
ReplyDeleteYou have such a strong daughter, but it makes sense because it sounds like the mom is pretty strong herself :) I am so glad she has such good attitude and is on her way to become a true Wonder Woman!
ReplyDeleteWow Amber! Hats off to your parenting! Natalie is a born leader and she is definitely going to do wonders in her life. You shouldn't worry about her!
ReplyDeleteI agree each and everyone of us is having inner willing. When we will come to know our inner strengths then only we will see that wonder power.
ReplyDeleteGood..Will Power is must for achievement. The earlier it develops, the better..
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so talented and such a strong young lady. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteXOXO //SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger
Your daughter is smart and adorable. It's so good of her to think of what she want to become at her age.
ReplyDeleteThat's such a beautiful message for your daughter. It's our job to empower them and allow them to believe that they can do anything that they want and be whoever they want to become.
ReplyDeleteThat's just awesome! I love how she said that she'll always be her! We are all Wonder Women and we cannot let the men run over us. We have to show them that we're just as capable as they are.
ReplyDeleteI do believe she'll always be strong. It sounds like you've instilled a good sense of self in your daughter.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so pretty! We are women and we have the power to follow our dreams and be everything we want, this is so true!
ReplyDeleteShe's really inspiring. I think you are really proud of her. Hope she will find and follow her dream
ReplyDeleteShe does indeed seem like a little Wonder Woman. I do believe we all have a little wonder woman in us too. When I was younger I always did things people said I couldn't to prove them wrong. Thanks for sharing your awesome daughter.
ReplyDeleteShe is absolutely adorable. I'll have to share this post with my grand daughters because I do believe there is a wonder woman in them as well.
ReplyDeleteLovely post. It is important to teach our girls they are no less than anyone and should always think they can do anything in life.
ReplyDeleteSuch great pictures. I love the Jedi cloak. When I was a little child I used to dress up in DC Comics costumes when I was a kid. in fact my brother did too. I was Superman and my brother was Batman. It was so much fun.
ReplyDeleteYou are truly an amazing mother with two amazing childrens. I guess your deserve to be called as Wonder WoMom. Cheers! - ANOSA
ReplyDeleteI agree that there is a wonder woman in all of us. With two daughters of my own, I am always trying to boost their confidence and encourage them to pursue their dreams/interests.
ReplyDeleteI love this, my daughter is only 5 but I want her to feel this way about life. I want her to know that girls can do whatever they want and sometimes they do it better than boys. My daughter and I talk about this alot. Yes to the Wonder Woman in all of us.
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to see kids outside getting that much needed exercise. I try to keep my girls outside all summer long and not stuck on a tablet or some other electronic. Cheers to you for keeping the youth energetic and healthy!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this - girl power!
ReplyDeleteThe wonder woman comes out. Even if ut doesn't feel so at the time.
ReplyDeleteNatalie is already a wonder girl so there is no doubt she will be a wonder woman too one day. Only the sky is the limit!
ReplyDeleteReally love your writing, the way you express your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteI love that you are raising such a strong young woman! I remember being a girl and wearing my Wonder Woman Underoos and thinking I could be anything when I grew up.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, strong and adventurous. You must be so proud. I love the kicking picture in the trampoline!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Wonder Woman movie has inspired both conversation and encouragement in young girls. We need more movies like that.
ReplyDeleteScarlet and Natalie would be fast friends! She saw the movie last week and took so much from it. I hope that lasts forever.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving how strong she is. There really is a bit of Wonder Woman in everyone.
ReplyDeleteWhat a smart and strong kids you've got there! Wonder Woman is in each and everyone of us we just have to let them out.
ReplyDeleteStrong and beautiful girl. You must be one proud mama. Can't help smiling with these pics.
ReplyDeleteI agree that wonder woman is such a strong and smart role model. I applaud Natalie's intellect and she is obviously great at gymnastics as well x
ReplyDeleteI heard Wonder Woman was an amazing film on a classic. Glad you are teach your daughter to be her own wonder woman in the real world.
ReplyDeleteevery woman is a wonder woman to me, why? in one way or the other they are superb perfect in one thing the other isnt and that to me make them perfect and wonder in their own ways. here is to all wonderful women in the world..
ReplyDeleteYes, we all have a little wonder woman in us:) Each of us has our own super power ! It is so cool to see how your daughter has embraced her super powers.
ReplyDeleteWow! She is so cute and she looks so smart. Hope my daughter will be as cool as her. You must be very proud of her. :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on instilling such great values and mindset into Valerie! She's destined to grow up to be a Wonder Woman like her mother :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice talk between you and your daughter. I love that my daughter who is almost 9 can really start having real talks with me. It's nice.
ReplyDeleteIt’s always great when you are your kid’s biggest cheerleader and you are doing just that
ReplyDeleteShe is so strong and smart.I'm loving how strong she is.
ReplyDeleteSuch a strong young woman and that's all because you support and empower her. She's lucky to have you as a mom just as you are lucky to have her as a daughter. I think it's really important that we raise our daughters to be independent and strong, smart too.
ReplyDeleteIt's so important to teach our daughters that they can do anything they set their minds too. I have two daughters, and raising them this way was/is my goal. My oldest leaves for Navy boot camp in a couple of weeks. So many people (including family members) told her to not join the Navy, choose something else. I think that gave her even more drive to do what she wanted.
ReplyDeleteKeep instilling that she can do anything as long as she works hard. Remind her failure happens but she stilled tried.
ReplyDeleteIt's really lovely that your daughter is growing up confident and smart! I'm sure she gets that from you, she's really so smart and strong!
ReplyDeleteI wish more women and parents in general would teach their girls to be strong and independent, and that men never "have" to call the shots.
ReplyDeleteThis is so great! I wish my Mother had talked to me like this but she was old school and the man was in charge. Good for you and Natalie!!
ReplyDeleteYour little girl sounds like she can and will conquer any obstacles in her future. My daughter is like that too. Love this post.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is going to be one strong woman, I don't think she will be having any problems with believing in herself and knowing that she can achieve all she wants if she puts her mind to it. Loved this.
ReplyDeleteGo Natalie! And go YOU for raising her to become a strong, smart woman!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter seems like such a well rounded young lady who knows who she is and what she can do. And that Wonder Woman leotard is precious. I love it!
ReplyDeleteWow, you have a future gymnast olympian in your hands. I wish my kids would have an interest in gymnastics, it's a great sport!
ReplyDeleteYou are raising such a fine daughter! I can tell she is going to grow up to be strong and confident. it is so refreshing to see that you are raising your daughter to be a happy, independent, productive member of society!
ReplyDeleteI love the inner message of this post and it is true we can all be wonder women. She really did kick butt from what I see on the pictures.
ReplyDeleteI love this, it is so true. It is so important to teach our girls to be strong!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is amazing. My girls love Wonder Woman too. I hope they will all grow up to be strong, independent women.
ReplyDeleteYou have been blessed with an amazing little girl. She is headstrong and she knows what she wants and gets it. Thank you for being a very supportive parent. She will go places in the future!
ReplyDeleteYou're doing a wonderful job in raising your daughter. She truly is a child of a Wonder Woman!
ReplyDeleteOh how I love this!!!! What a confident fierce little girl! And I love her wonder woman leotard!
ReplyDeleteThat's RIGHT! Teach them to embrace all that power and confidence. Teaching them now makes a big difference later.
ReplyDeleteOh my word! That throw back picture is absolutely amazing! I love love that! I agree with this!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is seriously so cool. She is hard to keep up with most days!
ReplyDeleteI love the way you are raising her. She is a little spitfire; just like mom!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing, fierce girl she is! I love to see young girls carrying so much confidence. I have no doubt she will do everything she sets her mind to. You are raising an amazing child!
ReplyDeleteYes!! Ever since I was a child I loved Wonder Woman. I always thought she was a brave, strong person and wanted to be like her
ReplyDeleteI have long been in such an article for a long time. I congratulate you on the good work! I love to see kids who are sporting and active.
ReplyDeleteI love the conversation with your daughter! I think instilling confidence and an ability to be ok being yourself (not being like everyone else) is so important for young children. :-)
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are raising a strong, independent, wonderful girl!! I love her confidence!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! Your daughter would surely turn out to be a strong and confident woman in future! Thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteShe is going to be an amazing and confident woman when she grows up! I know she makes you proud mom!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter is so cute and strong! I can tell she's going to be a confident, strong, and independent young woman when she grows up.
ReplyDeleteI love that she is being raised and praised to be strong and independent. It will serve her very well later in life.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteVery true and in this I must say that your little girl is also of inspiration for already adult women like me! I admire you very much!
Your daughter will grow up to be a strong, confident woman, afraid of nothing. She will be an inspiration for her generation, because her personality is just so powerful.
ReplyDeleteIt will be interesting to see what she chooses as she grows older. Wonderful parenting going on there
ReplyDeleteNatalie is indeed wondergirl! And I must admit that when I watched wonderwoman, I just felt like getting that superhero costume and saving the world!So funny!
ReplyDeleteI love this! Kids should be told that they can be anything they want to be as long as they work hard to make it happen. That costume is too cute!
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I teach a class of preschoolers on Sundays. Recently we asked them to name their favorite super hero. Wonder Woman was the answer for all the little girls.
ReplyDeleteShe is so like my boys. My boys are already worried about what they want to do when they grow up
ReplyDeleteI love this. She seems like she's going to grow up to do great things.
ReplyDeleteThis is one tough girl you're raising. Amazing!!! She is gonna turn out great for sure. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWow she surely is very into gymnastics. I think it is so nice when children enjoy different sports.
ReplyDeleteWe have a strong young lady here! She is so young and yet so mature. I like that you encourage her to be who she wants to be and accomplish. My parents have always been that supportive with me too. Beautiful bonding and parenting!
ReplyDeleteXo
Candace
Http://www.thebeautybeau.com
Yes we are each so different in our own unique way. There are millions of us out here being wonderful and changing the world
ReplyDeleteKita Bryant
Having a Wonder Woman attitude is a great way to go. She's a smart girl and as much as I read your blog, I can say I believe she has a wonderful momma!
ReplyDeleteLooks so lovely and she is very strong. You must be very proud. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree there is a Wonder Woman in all of us. It's important that we raise our daughters to be strong, Sounds like you're doing a great job x
ReplyDeleteLove this! Yes, she has strong genes and she is really amazing! Be who you are and do what you want!
ReplyDeleteNatalie sounds fearless. It's gonna help her to stay strong and confident when she grow up.
ReplyDeleteThis is so true. I believe that their is a wonderful Woman in all of us as well. You're raising such a fearless young lady!!
ReplyDeleteShe's not only a beauty, she's going to be a strong woman someday. And you should be a proud mom. -Lynndee
ReplyDeleteAll of us women kick butt in one way or another. We surely CAN be anything we like in this day and age and it's a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteIt's good to see her learning at a young age that she cannot be told what to do. And to be herself. This is great. Thanks for sharing this with us!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post! Every woman out there is strong in their own ways! Thanks for Natalie for reminding us that every one is a wonder woman.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lovely post! You are right , every woman has a wonder factor in her .
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is important to teach our kids to love theirselves and that they should not think what others think as long as you doesn't hurt anyone.
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