I personally feel we are entering the times where financial independence, education ,confidence are the basic minimum requirements for a girl to live a good life. I think we have bigger challenges then that to teach our little girls.
I would teach her positive tact, resourcefulness, ability to turn around happenings, ability to remain strong in the face of hardship and pain. Ability to know when and how to put her foot down if things ever come to that. Ability to know the balance between compromise and being her self .. I would most certainly make her a skillful person who is as down to earth as Allah would like it, but as confident as possible so she can deal with the evil in this world.
In the worldly way, I would introduce her to a variety of skills. This includes home making, arts , craft, sport, as much as I can incorporate in her.
Daughters are precious and you never know the kind of people she will be encountering in her life.
I’d teach my daughter to be self-reliant and confident. Also respectful, but able to stand up for herself if subjected to BS in the name of culture/tradition or whatnot.
Easier said than done, I know
One of the hardest matter to explain to your daughter would be sexual harrassment, however it is so important to be discussed. Daughters should know when it is ok to be sitting on an uncle's lap and when it isnt. also they should be put in confidence that no matter how bad or embarrassing a matter seems..always discuss/report it with the parents. Nohing should be hidden.
Other than that i hope to build self confidence and peaceful thinking in my daughter/young sister.
focus on her education, and career first. teach her to stand up for her rights and not let anyone take advantage of her, whether it's random people, husband, or inlaws. patience is good but it doesn't mean that others can treat you however they want. I have seen many women teach their daughters to put with up everyone in susraal and just deal with them because thats her 'permanent' home. I will definitely not be one of those mothers.
In my humble opinion, standing up for rights has already landed us in this mess. We have all sorts of ......rights organisations but still a majority isn't getting what it wants. If only all of us could feel strongly about our duties!!!
If all of us try doing our duties sincerely, everyone will get his/her rights. This is something I keep telling my kids, without a discrimination of daughters or sons.
I agree with all those above. But i would also make sure that the children could speak Urdu and/or Punjabi fluently in order to communicate with family such as grandparents.
I agree with all those above. But i would also make sure that the children could speak Urdu and/or Punjabi fluently in order to communicate with family such as grandparents.
That was really important to my mom as well. And now that I'm older and look back on it, it is very important to me as well. I think if you incorporate your language in the home at an early age, kids pick it up fast.
1) never ever ever get into a relationship that will leave you broken. and honestly whatever that doesn't lead to marriage will be heartbreaking and girls get fooled by guys so much. Not worth the years of heart pain. You may disagree.
2) never leave your education, get at least a bachelors degree
Do learn to make roti and saalan too.
Others might tell you its degrading and insulting
But it might go a long way to make others feel special
and
worthy of your care.
