My Independent and Oh-so Direct Little Girl

I am not certain if other moms struggle with this, but I find it a daily challenge to encourage independence, decision-making, and confidence in my almost 4 year-old while still teaching her to be obedient, polite, and respectful. I am happy to see that my little girl is growing into a true individual who is comfortable in her own skin, able to decide for herself, and comfortable speaking up. There are definitely moments where her bluntness can come off as abrasive and her desire to be independent branches off into defiance, but I think it’s all a work in progress.

I am fascinated watching her and seeing how other people react to this tall, skinny girl with her frizzy hair and big eyes. Once she’s comfortable with an adult, Ella is not afraid to say, “Read this book” (although we are constantly working on please) or “Let’s play ponies.” She is genuinely happy with who she is and is fairly confident that you will happily be her friend. One of my favorite moments during vacation included waking up one day to find her curled up next to my brother-in-law reading. Apparently, she saw him lying there, decided to cuddle up next to him, and proceeded to talk his ear off.

We went to visit some friend’s of Tim’s family last night and she quickly warmed up to the somewhat gruff grandpa. I loved watching her bravely ask him if he had ponies, then dollies, then pony movies. And he gamely answered her constant questions, including the persistent “whys’ with good humor. And, while I wish she would more naturally wait her turn to speak, say please, and show more gratitude, I truly believe that with time, maturity, and good examples, these will come.

For now, my biggest hope is that she will retain this confidence as she grows. That she won’t take as long as I did to learn to be comfortable simply being Ella. Because she is a wonder just as she is: clever, direct, loving, snarky, and sweet. And I wouldn’t have her any other way.