As a Girl Guide leader, part of our program involves teaching the girls that they are special, unique, important, empowered and super in every way.

Girl Guides of Canada-Guides du Canada enables girls to be confident, resourceful and courageous, and to make a difference in the world. – Vision

Whether it’s with the Girl Guides or my own children, everything I do with them has me thinking about how I can instill confidence in them, teach them leadership and improve their self-esteem.

Teach Your Child to Be Super

So how can you teach your child that they are super?

• Never dash their dreams with comments such as “that’s impossible” or “you can’t do that” even if their dream is something like being a Princess (and your family is not royalty.)
• Encourage your child to think of others by being honest about what life is like in other parts of the world or even other parts of your hometown. You don’t need to scare them but don’t pretend the world doesn’t have problems either.
• Encourage their interests and make sure you are supporting your child’s interests and not the interests you want for your child. It’s a parent’s job to introduce their child to new things but we shouldn’t be forcing our children to follow the dream we had for ourselves but didn’t accomplish, just so we can feel good.
• Teach them that they have a voice. Some things are non negotiable of course but you don’t want your child to be silenced on every matter so that they learn that their opinion is not important. If bedtime is 8 and they want it to be 9, don’t just shut them down. Teach them that if they want change, they need to be ready to explain their thinking and reasoning behind it. They may or may not get what they wanted but at least they will know that they are being heard and will learn communication skills in the process.

Barbie Wants Girls to #BeSuper

Barbie has received a lot of flack about the message it gives to girls but I have a different side of the story. I played with Barbies all the time as a child and not once did I consider the proportions of her body or compare it to mine. For me, Barbie represents a strong woman who isn’t afraid to try new things (her many jobs), take risks and not conform to gender stereotypes (she was an astronaut, pilot, NASCAR driver, police officer, military officer and president.) She made me dream.

Barbie wants girls to be super and so they have recently come out with a new Barbie movie: Barbie in Princess Power with related toys, fashion items and a website at BeSuper.com where girls can register with a superhero name and work on monthly missions or see what other kids are doing around Canada. You’ll especially want to check out the Super Squad leaders who are real kids who are doing amazing things.

Giveaway

In celebration of the new Barbie movie, I have a giveaway for my Canadian readers.

One lucky Canadian reader will win a Barbie Super Pack!

a Rafflecopter giveaway