I recently found out that my third, and probably my last child is going to be another boy. I’m thrilled for another little man in my life. My boy has been such a fun boy so far, and I can’t wait to see what both boys will be like together! But, a tiny part of me hoped for another little girl. Mostly because I think this will be my last child (at least that is what I keep saying to everyone) and I had such an angelic little girl before the boys ever came into my life.
My daughter is one of the kindest, sweetest, most gentle little beings in the world. I cringe at the thought of her starting Kindergarten next year! But, I know that her character traits will remain, and she will continue to be a good, thoughtful little person despite the influences around her. I know that she was disappointed to find out that we were having a baby brother instead of a baby sister. I also felt a little stab of sadness for her at the thought of not having any sisters, mostly because I love my sisters so much. However, I love the thought of just having this one, special little daughter to build a life with and watch grow into a beautiful woman. I know she will be. In some ways, knowing I may not ever have another little girl makes me treasure her even more! I know it will make her Daddy spoil her even more!
So, I ran across this conference address from the 2010 General Conference titled, Mothers and Daughters. I loved it. I especially loved this part by Elder Ballard:
“Now may I share a few thoughts with you mothers about the special role you play in your daughters’ lives. We have a family friend who travels often with members of her extended family. Her primary observation after each trip is how much the young women behave like their mothers. If the mothers are thrifty, so are their daughters. If the mothers are modest, so are the girls. If the mothers wear flip-flops and other casual clothing to sacrament meeting, so do their daughters. Mothers, your example is extremely important to your daughters—even if they don’t acknowledge it.”
We have no idea how much we influence our daughters. I know that I am like my Mother in so many ways. I may have tried in my youth to fight against becoming like her, but it was inevitable. The influence mothers have on their daughters is everlasting. I’m grateful to be a mother to both my daughter and my boys. I am especially grateful to have a little girl in my life to help guide through this world that is full of images of women that are not ideal. I am grateful to have a little girl that wants to dress up, and be girly, and love things that I love. I feel like the Lord trusted me with someone special, and I need to make the most of being the best Mom I can be to her and teaching it what it means to be a daughter of God.
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