From the moment your little girl was born, you saw her as your "mini-me". You've probably worn a few mommy-and-me outfits so that you'll look like you're "twinning"! But it's unavoidable that your little baby is growing up to be a little girl—a princess who wants to explore the world by doing things on her own. Even if you think she's still your baby (and nothing will ever change that!), being supportive and accepting of the little lady that she's becoming will teach her to love herself for who she is. Here's what supportive moms do to help their little princesses out:
1. You ask first rather than scold
Toddlers are busy exploring their world, and they get into accidents, from tripping over themselves to breaking things. Rather than instantly reacting to the situation by yelling or getting mad, take a deep breath and ask her what happened. When you talk to your child first, it shows that you value what they have to say, and that they can open up to you about anything, even things that might be hard for them to share or might get them into trouble.
2. You give them space to like (and dislike) what they want
When kids are exposed to different things, they start to make their own opinions about what they like or don't like. While it's tempting to continue to mold her into your mini-me and expose her to things that you used to like, give her the freedom to choose. Let your child discover what she likes by bringing her to workshops, short classes and camps that can bring out her talents, likes and dislikes.
3. You include her in the decision-making
Toddlers don't get much say in a lot of things that they do everyday, from what they eat for breakfast, to what time they sleep at night. Whenever possible, ask for their opinion. What dress color do you want to wear? Which friend do you want to meet for a play date? Through these questions, you're showing that you respect their opinions. Plus, when you do follow through, it doesn't mean that you're a pushover—it merely means that you support their decision.
4. You teach her to be independent
Toddlers are already able to do some tasks, like packing away her toys, or giving herself a bath. When she takes a bath, she can start using her own bath essentials, like Johnson's® Active Kids™ Shiny Drops™ Shampoo, which has Argan oil and silk proteins that are great to address the needs of your toddler's hair, but not harsh like adult shampoos, so her hair can still be shiny.
You can secretly still treat her like your baby while not stifling her independence by helping her during bath time, until she gets the hang of it. Teaching and reminding them to accomplish tasks on their own will take patience and hard work on both your parts, but you're also showing her that she can stand on her own two feet.
The feeling of seeing them do "big girl" stuff will make you feel both proud and sentimental—proud because she's slowly becoming her own person, but sad because it seems like they no longer need you anymore! But rather than being sad about it, think about it this way: No matter how old she gets or whatever she goes through in life, one thing will never change, and that's you proclaiming that she's #StillMyBaby.
Got a couple more tips on how to be a supportive mom? Share them here!