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Quips
& Tips
Inspiration for parents, teachers, counselors, and mentors
of
girls
#3
All acts performed in the world begin in the imagination.
—Barbara Grizutti Harrison, writer, publicist
Halloween is almost here. What
does your daughter want to be?
One year when I was a girl, I wanted to be a bride. My mother
made the costume (complete with sister as bridesmaid). We
loved it . . . but would we have made the same choices today?
And could we have chosen something a little more girl-powerful,
or something that might have helped us dream of a big and
exciting future?
often choose costumes
that play into society's overemphasis on the female figure,
such as a ballerina, a cat (leotard and tights), a cheerleader,
Cinderella or another fairytale character, or Britney or
Christina.
If, for example, she's set on being a ballerina because
it's always been her dream, maybe the best bet is to support
her in expressing the dream. But you can still take the
opportunity to discuss with her the fact that ballerinas
commonly don’t eat enough to attain a healthy weight,
and that she might enjoy other careers, too.
Better yet, nudge her in the direction of a costume representing
some brainy female, a cool concept, or something outrageously
creative. Encourage her to dream big and do something out
of the ordinary; people will say "Wow!" and compliment
her ingenuity and creativity. Suggest she try to personify
a cause, such as "the solid waste crisis" e.g.,
(wearing a mountain of garbage) or an entity, such as the
Internet. Or suggest a historically influential woman such
as Marie Curie (e.g., carrying a vial of blue liquid). Or
how about a strong character like Buffy or Hermione? A mad
scientist, an astronaut?
Halloween is the time for kids to go a little wild. Help
your daughter think of a costume "outside the box"
and it might expand her self-expectations. Who knows what
she'll dream up for next year?
Copyright by Catherine Dee
Organizations: You're welcome to reprint this material
free; please credit Catherine Dee
Quips
& Tips #4
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