Follow me, she says.
Come along and see what I see.
For I am a mighty girl!
So let me lead.
Because one day, you see,
she will be.
So let me lead. 
Camille Vaughan Photography
Girl Power
Unapologetically
Foreseeable a mile away.
The awe is understandable.
Four beautiful daughters, so close in age, is bound to attract attention.
The first line, predictable:
“All girls?”
Almost as predictable as one of the second lines:
“Wow. You’ve got your hands full.”
“Just wait until they’re teenagers!”
But the worst, the absolute worst is when they say, in front of our daughters,
“I’m sorry.”
“Were you trying for the boy?”
The look on my 6 year-old’s face: confusion.
The feeling in my heart: pain.
Sadness that she should feel the need to apologize for her gender. Disappointment that this adult is too ignorant to realize children, too, have ears and feelings.
So instead, I strike back.
“We hit the JACKPOT.”
Four sisters. One loving mother. One adoring father. 6 hearts. One family.
Unapologetically. 
Ask and ye shall Receive
“My nose is running.”
“I’m hungry.”
“I’m cold.”
“I can’t open this.”
A helpless victim.
“May I have a tissue, please?”
“May I have a snack, please?
“Mom, can you pass me a blanket?”
“Will you help me open this?
An assertive problem-solver.
For the past few months, I’ve been working with my second daughter on asking for what she needs, rather than stating the problem aloud with the hopes that someone will hear and fix the issue for her.
I’m lucky to raise my daughters during a time when women are encouraged to use their voice. If I don’t teach them early to speak up for what they need, how can I expect them to innately learn this later?
“I wish I got paid more.” becomes “Boss, here are the reasons I deserve a raise.”
“I wish my spouse paid more attention to me.” becomes “We need to talk.”
“I don’t know how to ______ (change a tire, write a resume, etc.) becomes “Will you teach me?”
“I wish I had more time for ____.” becomes “If it’s important enough, I will find a way.”
And oh, will she ever.
Happy 5th Birthday Harper Reese.
New Leaf Parenting 