Wednesday, January 23, 2008

My daughter, the activist...


I have written on here about my boys quite a bit. And complained about my daughter! Today, I have to share with you something that she has done that makes me extremely proud of her. Her post on her blog about this is here. Basically, she is speaking out against injustice and mean teachers! She has reacted to a teacher speaking badly to a student and is refusing to let him get away with it. She is so cool. I am proud of her for refusing to take something like this sitting down!

My girl is so confident on the outside, but so sentimental and soft hearted on the inside. I have spent all of her almost 14 years worrying about her getting hurt. And she has bounced back every time someone is mean and shown me what strength of character and spirit she has. It is a proud moment as a mother to see your child shrug something off and say "Their loss" about someone not wanting to be their friend.

High school can be a scary time for a teen. And for a mom! I struggled so hard with the idea of skipping my daughter a grade. Not because I thought she wouldn't be able to handle the school work. That is not an issue with my girl. She has goals and plans and she will work to achieve them no matter what. My fears were all revolving around the social aspect. And the emotional impacts. Jenna (my girl!) is a young teen. She is naive in the oddest ways. And so caring that I worry about her being taken advantage of. But, somehow, she has developed a little bit of my cynicism without losing her softness. She has made friends this year that are really great kids. She has excelled in school and has been participating in HS activities. I am constantly amazed by her.

On those days when I think this girl will never learn to fold clothes or put dishes away in a timely manner... I try to remember days like today. And how proud I am. She is a strong, independent, beautiful young lady. So what if her clothes are wrinkled......

Viva la resistance, Jenna!

5 comments:

InTheFastLane said...

As hard as it is to raise my boys - it is a thousand times emotionally harder with my daughter, who is 13, and she is a great kid. It sounds like you have a lot to be proud of.

Anonymous said...

I love what you wrote about our Jenna. I also am so proud of her. I love everything about her and the wonderful person she is becoming. You my dear had a lot to do with that. You have done a wonderful job mothering her and bringing her up to be the wonderful girl she is. Keep up the good work, now you have boys to do the same thing for. I love you all. Mom

Anonymous said...

That is awesome. I dread the middle school/high school years for my girls and can only hope that the foundation I'm laying now will pay me, and my children, back during those trying years. Independence, self confidence and humor can get you through it.

Jenna, you definitely sound like someone your momma has a right to be proud of!

Anonymous said...

I too am proud of Miss Jenna! I was shocked when I read what this teacher had done! Of course I should have proof read what I wrote, because I had the word stupid on the brain and "pulled a stupid" by writing stupid in place of student(twice). I think she got my point though...LOL She is such a bright, wise and beautiful girl! You have lots to be proud of... so brag on Momma!!

JessicaB said...

Way to go Miss Jenna. It is a brave thing to stand up to authority when they have overstepped their boundaries. I bet it mad the girl called stupid feel very good.

Way to go Faerie Mom for raising such an awesome girl.