Remember how fortunate you are to have your daughter. Frances, an 83-year-old mother from North Port, Florida, believes that an aunt had spoken the truth to her when she said years ago, “You haven’t lived until you have a daughter.” At the time Frances was the mother of a son and didn’t conceive her second child, a daughter, until eleven years later. Remember you aren’t the only influence in your daughter’s life. There are plenty of others. Even the famed Dr. Spock admitted later in his life that we can’t be entirely certain how or why a child turns out like he or she does. Susan Jeffers—psychologist, parent, and author—notes a long and varied list of contributing factors that influence an individual during their growth years. They encompass what she calls a “child’s circle of being.” The circle includes such things as the following:
Genetic makeup Circumstances of delivery and birth Number of siblings Presence of grandparents Finances Friends School experiences General health Physical attributes Cultural surroundings Choice of food, books, and music Intelligence Personality Geographic location Religion Societal customs
Remember you are there to guide your daughter to develop her best potential for happiness and self-sufficiency. You can do that by being a sounding board, supporter, and a friend. You must show her that you are consistently in her corner. And you must respect and discipline her in a way that establishes fair and realistic expectations.
