Girls will be Girls – Styled Shoot

As a mother of girls – and as a woman myself – I’m constantly fighting off advances from mainstream media and “the man” that would try and put girls into a box. I am bombarded with images of girls in pink, wearing glitter, and professing to be princesses that need saving. I’m subtly subjected to the image of a woman as a mother, a cleaner, a cook and a house manager – the only roles were we seemingly can find gratification and if we stray from this path, should we not want children, society deems us undesirable. We are often taught how to be beguiling, interesting and attractive for the opposite sex, whilst keeping our mouths shut and our hearts covered.

There is nothing wrong with pretty dresses and sparkling tiaras. I love putting Rosie in pink. I adore seeing her twirl in a tutu. Barbies have always been played with  in my household, and I thoroughly enjoy being a mother. I do mind seeing her reduced to a supporting character when she is the heroine. I do mind that the choices available are still often shrouded from girls. I mind because there is so much inside a female that can’t be limited to a simple storybook ending.

We were never meant to cower in the pages, waiting for the right to speak. We are adventurous, wild, bold and enchanting. And our girls should be encouraged to follow any and all paths, to be fearless, to be rescuers, to be relentless…to just “be”.

Girls will BE girls. They will redefine history. They will sweep the world off its feet. They will allow love to grow, and sometimes, have to cut it down. They will find that ivory tower and scale it with their bare hands.

No matter what your preference, be it pink and fluffy, or bold and abstract, there is no right or wrong way to be a girl.

My darling girls, claim your crown as a custodian of this world, not as an extra. Be you. Unashamedly.

Special thanks to:

My Tiny Teepee – For the blue-trimmed white teepee

Minimi Atelier – For the white and denim shirt

Bow ties and Braces – For the two bow ties

Natasha Wilson  – For the pink tutus

I have loved her, my little wanderer, with a mind full of wild forests and eyes that await adventures.

It’s that heart of gold, and stardust soul that make you beautiful

Be your own definition of amazing, always.

And we raise daughters that don’t need stars promised to them…for they make their own light