Raising girls

I'm feeling quite stirred today about the task God has given me raising girls. Not that it is a more difficult/noble/important task than raising boys. But at this moment in time I have been given two little girls to look after and bring safely to womanhood. I have also got a job working in an all-girls school so I am ultra aware of the pressures and issues that young ladies are facing.

I love these precious little creatures who can be so fragile and so feisty all at once, with emotions bubbling near the surface at all times. My girls are kind and care about others but are also easily hurt or offended too. They are performers and are creative. They like dresses and plaits. They like climbing trees and playing with creepy crawlies. 

Through teaching I'm aware of girls with anxiety, panic attacks, eating disorders, chronic fatigue and depression. Girls who are bullied via social media and approached by boys for sexual images. There's so much I want to protect my daughters from. Raising them to have good self-esteem, to be confident and deal with difficult situations and temptations is something I feel challenged to start praying for now and regularly.