Obstinate Headstrong Girl

Girls aren’t supposed to be obstinate, are they?

They’re supposed to be sugar and spice and everything nice. Agreeable. Accommodating. Pleasant.

I was thinking about what we teach young girls about standing their ground, and far too often, we don’t. From an early age, they get so many messages about being polite, about not making waves, about putting others’ comfort before their own needs. Don’t be bossy. Don’t be stubborn. Don’t be too much.

It is any wonder that as women, so many of us struggle to set boundaries, ask for what we deserve, and trust our own judgment?

The greatest gift we can give our girls ISN’T teaching them to be “good.” It’s teaching them to be brave enough to be “difficult” when it matters.

I added ‘Obstinate Headstrong Girl’ to the dragon collection to celebrate the girl who knows that when she says, “No”, it means NO. It honors the girl who questions rather than automatically accepts. It applauds the  girl who stands firm in her convictions even when it would be easier to bend. It pay homages to the girl who will grow into a woman who doesn’t need to unlearn that her feelings and boundaries matter. I see it, and I think of my daughter (Hunter), and my god-daughters (Violet & Ayla).
It was created in honor of every strong-willed young woman who forges her own path.

Just look at her! Arms crossed, chin up, that wispy smoke saying “I know my own mind.” Not rude, not disrespectful — just absolutely, positively unwilling to be pushed around on matters of importance.