JENerally Informed

Thanks Carolyn. Your daughter has a very good mom and I think she will become the kind of "leader " that we need more of today. Kudos for you my friend :)

AweSamsauce 22p · 586 weeks ago

I applaud the points you make here. I think this highlights a widely accepted cultural practice of sending the message that to be successful, one must use force and call it leadership. I struggle with my guy who can be bossy and not always nicely. He has social skill deficits and it has been tricky to help him build these skills, learn empathy and still retain the strength to (I hope) stand up for others as well as himself.

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago

That is always tricky isn't? We want our children to be able to be independent and strong enough to handle what life throws their way, but not in a steam roller sort of way. I am not sure I have all of the answers, but I have been amazed at those within my own family who I feared had the most tendency to bulldoze behave in ways that have amazed and astounded me. Thanks for visiting.

comedyplus 47p · 586 weeks ago

I still find a different set of rules between girls and boys. I'll be glad when that goes away too, but you are spot on with your assessment here.

Have a fabulous day. :)

Dizmommy 66p · 586 weeks ago

Well said! All the chatter about eliminating the term “bossy” had me rolling my eyes. As a bossy and proud female with four sisters, I don’t share Ms. Sandberg’s sentiment toward the word. Quite frankly, I don’t believe “bossy” has the power to hold young girls back from becoming leaders. The power of leadership comes from within and cant be taken away by repeated labeling. I think Sandberg isn’t seeing the bigger picture, being that leaders are homegrown and learn more about their strength and the value of their opinion from their parents. I think any term used to belittle or size up a child (regardless of gender) is worth reevaluating. And though I can appreciate Sandberg’s rambles about the very few women in charge of large companies and the 77 cents women make to a man’s dollar, getting women into positions of power requires women/girls/children/whoever to learn that some stupid phrase/label/word/term/whatever doesn’t take their power away. This is a case wherein the sticks and stones law applies perfectly. Sorry Sandberg but you gotta toughen up.

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago

Amen sister! Spot on!

Savvy Working Gal · 586 weeks ago

Agree - some of the bossy girls I grew up with were really bullies. The same goes for boys - a bully is a bully. I think we need to distinguish the two. I do like the idea of promoting and encouraging girls to be leaders.

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago

Absolutely! From my own experience while growing up and now watching my children I can spot the bullies from miles away. The girls are often subtle, but oh so dangerous and definitely not the type of behavior worthy of promoting. Real leaders know this and that is why bossy and leadership are not even remotely the same thing. Thanks for stopping in.

Bre Peacoats & Plaid · 586 weeks ago

AMEN!!! My husband and I were just talking about this and how ridiculous the whole "movement" was. I am so darn proud of your little girl!!!!

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago

Thank you Bre. I was very proud of her too. These are the moments we love as parents.

sara 35p · 586 weeks ago

So impressed with the way you've raised your daughter! This is a fantastic post, definitely worth thought. It's interesting how words can mean such different things to different people. I don't think what your daughter did was in the realm of bossiness at all -- she just did the RIGHT thing. I also don't equate bossiness with leadership because I think an aspect of (good) leadership is leaving others feeling as though they had a choice in the matter -- or at least allows them to feel proud to be involved -- which bossiness doesn't necessarily do.

Honestly, I find this whole new anti-calling-girls-bossy "movement" to rather puffed out and peacockish, if that even makes sense. I feel like the media is always looking for something to make a big deal out of and people seem to rush to new causes without giving them the type of thought they should -- as your post inspires. The anti-bully movement, however, is something I'm behind 100% :)

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago

I graduated from college with a PR degree and I so often see people getting worked by the media. This annoys me and with all of the bullying discussions we could have this "bossy"debate taking the forefront just seems like a weak attempt at pushing a weak issue and not actually addressing issues that matter to both young girls and boys. These are the same people though who have given us Kim Kardashian....

Candacejo 97p · 586 weeks ago

I just now saw your post on the blog hop....guess what I had written about today?? :) I believe we are on the same page. I am weary of the media trying to control every aspect of our lives with the ridiculous. There are surely more important things in the world! Bossy is a personality, you cannot change personalities. You can teach your "bossy" children to use their leadership skills wisely. There is a difference between being bossy and being a bully. Love what your daughter did!

1 reply · active 586 weeks ago