Six things women can learn from my two year old daughter
THE greatest mentor I have in my life currently is a two year old girl.
My two year old girl in fact. Elsie, my beautiful daughter.
I always used to think, before I became a Mum, that a parent was the only one to teach in a parent / child relationship. But I was wrong, because amazingly Elsie teaches me as much about life and myself, as I do her.
It’s quite astonishing really.
And so with International Women’s Day upon us this weekend, I can think of no better female role model to talk about today, than my daughter.
Here are six things all grown up women can learn from my terrific toddler.
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Use your voice
Elsie is still at that wonderful stage in life when she is ‘free’ with her voice. When she is pretty blissfully unaware of decorum, expectations or restrictions and long may it continue.
When she wants something, you know about it. When she’s unhappy, you know about it. When she has something to say, she says it. (Whether you like it or not.)
But too often as women we mute our voices. And we silence ourselves. We keep things that should be said, unsaid. We don’t speak up. We don’t express our feelings. We conform to society’s expectations and we remain quiet. Best to be quiet than to provoke, threaten or trouble people ey?
But we are wrong.
Women have been silenced for far too long and it’s time to reclaim our voices. To demand to be heard.
If you’re ever in doubt as to how powerful a voice can be, just listen to a toddler who refuses to be silenced. It’s awe-inspiring.
Bounce back
Elsie is into everything at the moment. Like a wonderful whirlwind, she runs, she leaps, she bounds and she falls. A lot. Numerous times a day in fact.
And do you know what she does when she falls down?
She gets back up. Quickly.
She dusts herself off and carries on with the same determination and commitment she had before, forgetting that her fall has even happened.
Life knocks us down on many occasions and sometimes the older we get, the more hurdles seem to appear in our way. But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt from my wee bundle of energy, it is this. When life knocks you down or you trip up, you just gotta dust yourself down and get on with the show. It is the only way.
Be yourself
Toddlers are wonderful at expressing themselves. Elsie may be a little dramatic at times, but one thing is for sure, I always know where I stand with her.
She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable or deliriously happy. Nor is she ever afraid to laugh out loud or run and dance and sing when she feels like it.
She is deliciously herself and deliciously proud. And her fearlessness and freedom is wonderful to behold.
Just imagine if we were all unashamedly ourselves. How amazing could that be?
Be curious
The drudgery of everyday life can often take its toll but if you want to be reminded of how wondrous life is, I have a very simple tip.
Just look at the world through the eyes of a toddler. Think like a two year old.
Explore, listen, ask questions and be curious. Try everything once. Even if you’re rubbish at it. Do things just because you love them, even if you do them badly.
Watching Elsie draw is both fascinating and liberating. She draws because she can and because she wants to. She expresses herself with her squiggling and knows of no limitations or expectations. She draws simply because it brings her joy.
Being open and inquisitive is a wonderful way to be. Try it.
Knowledge is everything
Elsie wants to know everything. She asks questions all of the time and is fascinated by everything she learns.
She understands that knowledge is compelling. She wants to be educated and has an innate desire to learn more. And to become more.
Knowledge is power and we never stop learning. Nor should we want to. It’s what life is all about it.
Love With Abandon
If I’m ever feeling unloved or down in the dumps, I only have to receive a big hug from Elsie to feel on top of the world again.
She is such a loving little girl. She loves fiercely – as those who receive her hugs will know! – and she loves everyone.
Yes, both her Dad and I are the centre of the world, but when I say she loves everyone, I mean everyone. Her grandparents, her aunts, her cousins, my friends, her friends, our cat, the neighbour’s cat, the blackbird in the garden….I could go on but you get the gist.
She loves everyone and is never afraid to express it, through her actions or in her words.
She is the cutest love machine. Kind, caring, thoughtful and affectionate. Tiny but with a heart that is vast.
Watching her love so intensely, so brilliantly is an honour to behold. And absolute proof that loving with abandon IS the only way to really love.
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To all the wonderful, inspiring, kind, talented and fabulous women I know – Happy International Women’s Day for Sunday.
Wonderful women, you are a force to be reckoned with. Never forget it. X
With love,
Kate
This post is linked to #SundayStars, #AllAboutYou & #BrilliantBlogPosts
What a lovely post. It made me a little sad though because I can already see that my 5 and 3 yr olds are a little further down the line. They are already beginning to understand what we ‘must’ do to conform with society and they are loosing that childish lack of inhibition which I love. Maybe this is a little my fault too- I need to be more like your little girl so my kids can learn from me!
I’m dreading the day I see that happen too Morna. I guess all we can do is try and set the example and encourage them to remain open x
Hi love this, wonderful Katie. Such a shame we forget how to truly be ourselves, to love with all our heart, to say what we want, to learn, to bounce back, as we get older. I’m going to take some lessons from Elsie :) xxx
Ah thank you Leigh! That makes me really happy x
Love this list, it is amazing how much we can learn from our children!
Thanks Luci! x
“She is deliciously herself and deliciously proud” – that sentence right there made me smile so much. Go Elsie! X
I might print this phrase out and stick it up in her room :) x
They are amazing little things and like you I learn so much from
Luca and he makes me more like him everyday. From walking home from the childminders singing at the top of our voices or running away from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles much to everyone’s amusement. He’s reminded me to not care and enjoy life to the absolute best of my ability and I will be forever grateful of that. This post is brilliant Kate! Xx
They really do teach us the importance of ENJOYING life and living in the moment don’t they? Makes you wonder when do we all lose this ability?! Thank you darling Franki x
What a beautiful post and so very true. We all need to revert to our two year old selves.
Thanks Nikki x
THIS! *Punches the air* Love your last line, so empowering darling. As always your words ring with truth and this is such a lovely way to call on our younger selves to inspire us to be better women x
Thank you Michelle. Amazing how much we can learn from our wee ones when we observe, listen and are open. x
Such a lovely post, I loved reading this. We really can learn so much from our kids x
We sure can! x
Honey, you are seriously blowing me away right now, post after post!
You’ve written such a beautiful piece here & the way you see your daughter is inspirational <3
Ah Steph, what can I say but thank you! Really, thank you. Means ever so much. x
Fabulous post Katie. You are so right, we really can and should learn more from our little ones! Such a cutie by the way x
Thank you beautiful! x
Love this post, and I totally agree that we can all learn so much from our little ones. Especially being ourselves, as Oscar Wilde said, everyone else is taken ;-)
Elsie is gorgeous, just like her mummy. Happy International Women’s Day lovely lady xxx
Ah thank you darling. X
Oh I agree. I am always learning from my twins. They keep me grounded and make me laugh a lot. When I could potentially take life far too seriously!!!! :) Jess xx #sundaystars
Well you must be doubly wise now Jess?! :) X
Love this post if only we could all live like this the world would be a much simpler place!
It would indeed. Thanks Amy!
Love this,I have a 2 year old girl and can totally relate.Have never really thought about it in this way though.Amazing xx
Thanks Julie. Elsie teaches me so much about life. Crazy isn’t it? I often think we must be born with everything we need to know about life and then lose it as we get older and try to figure it all out again! x
Love this post. So true and such a brilliant tribute to your daughter.
We have so much advice for them, we forget how much they can teach us sometimes.
Thank you Tanya! x
All great things to learn from. The bounce back is my favorite one of all. Wish we all learned to bounce back like children do. Thanks so much for sharing this great insight!
Thanks Robin. I know their resilience is astounding isn’t it? When do we stop learning to do this so well?
We all can learn a lot from children and how they live their life to the fullest! Thank you for sharing and it seems like your daughter is an awesome little girl
All About You Co-Host (ANNA)
Happy Medley Blog
Thank you Anna! I know I am TOTALLY biased, but she really is :)
What a lovely words about your sweet daughter. Truly enjoying looking through your blog.
This is the most inspiring post. I love it. As women, too often we try to be someone else. Our little girl’s teach us that is wonderful to be us. The person we were born to be. Thanks for linking up to #SundaysStars. Hugs Mrs xxxx