Hadley Freeman’s article How to parent girls caught my eye. Was this the panacea I’d been looking for? Er No. It wasn't. Vegetarianism and eating disorders aside, and the oh so short list of just three top tips for raising happy girls including – limiting rom com exposure? The piece does pick up on our paranoia on raising girls. Is it because we are f**ked up and don’t want to pass it onto our daughters or is it because we are control freaks?
Either way my own more far more comprehensive list (4 items) after 1 year of experience and having a daughter who can’t yet talk and therefore can’t contradict me…. would be;
1. Cough – my mother’s feminist indoctrination went no further than making me cough. Every time I got over excited, squeally and high pitched she made me stop and cough. The result being I have a deep voice. No doubt she was convinced that would make people take me more seriously. Alas I think she pictured me using my dulcet tones on BBC Radio Four.
2. Read the Paper Bag Princess to her - Not just because it’s a welcome alternative to Barbie hyped world of pretty princesses or because it challenges the happy ever after ending but because its unexpected and funny.
3. Don’t ban tea sets - Having just survived a December of 1st Birthdays and Christmas and all the presents which went with it I’m all too conscious that all the other little girls we know have new shiny pink scooters, tea sets and other assorted pink paraphernalia. Meanwhile our house is littered with spinning tops, boats, squeaking eggs, a singing snail, a pull along snail, a pull along elephant……But I won’t be wrestling the tea set out of her hands next time we go to play at a friend’s house. I like any mum just want her to know as she grows up that she has choices. If its a pink tea set so be it.
4. Try the 70s way - If all else fails dress her in brown and orange (or maybe RED?), cut her hair at home using a bowl and don’t let her shave her legs till she’s 16. It worked for my mum………..
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