Please stop telling my daughters they are pretty.

The societal views of women will forever be whatever mainstream media portrays. Currently, we see theKardashians, movie stars slathered in makeup, models too thin, even news anchors with their hair teased, makeup on perfectly, white teeth, and dressed like a star. I typically roll out of the house with my hair a mess, jeans, sandals, and t-shirt. Maybe I remembered mascara today. Probably not. Do I feel bad about my self? Yup. Do I wish I were prettier, skinnier, had more money for expensive clothing? Of course!!! Thank you society!!! 

I cannot go anywhere with my girls without hearing how cute they are. Please don't get me wrong. My girls are gorgeous!!! They also have so many other incredible things about them. Bug: loving, patient (at times), kind, sweet, caring, smart, athletic, the best big sister you will find, an animal lover, intuitive... I could go on for days. Chunk: happy, loving, snuggley, patient, kind, understanding, resilient, plucky... Again, I could go on for a while. I want my girls to hear good things about them. I want them raised knowing that what's inside is much more important than looks. I don't care what you look you, if you have a rotten soul, I'm walking away. 

Please, let's start acknowledging true compliments in our children. Don't get me wrong, I do tell my girls they are pretty, cute, and beautiful and of course many other adjectives but what they hear most from me is soul and character descriptive words. 

My heart broke when my daughter asked for makeup, then proclaimed "i pretty now mamma?" This was the last time she has seen me put makeup on. After a few months of strength building, my two year old says "I nice mamma." Or she will squeal "I smart," when she's accomplished a challenge. 

Let's change our way of thinking, doing, and communicating to build a stronger future. Just a thought, don't tell me or my girls were pretty, find another word. 

-K