“Well behaved women seldom make history.” – Laurel Thatcher Ulrich
Yup. That is a quote I hung in my 5 year old daughter’s room. (Designed by the fabulous Alex from Type A Calligraphy.)
The only staged part of this picture is I put her butt up on that bookshelf. The physics textbook (Scott’s from college) is one of her favorite things to “read” to us, there is beloved Lambie in her arms, and the Little Mermaid doll she hardly touches but won’t let me donate, and then there is the globe and the tiny suitcases, which she’s had in her room since before she was born.
She is already her own person is every way. She always has been. I can not convince her to be anyone else. This pleases me greatly. Except sometimes I do get a little annoyed that she won’t wear the things I pick out for her anymore. Small tradeoff, I guess.
I would never, ever wish her to “behave” to please others. Respect others? Yes. Be kind? Certainly. But sit down and shut up because she should behave? Nah.
I want her to grow up knowing this: You have something to say, you say it. You might get in trouble for it or you might make a change. Own it.
Today- International Women’s Day- feels like just the right day to write that down for her in her Prudent Advice book.