Raising Empowered & Ambitious Girls - #Barbie Project

So a few weeks ago, my youngest daughter, Kennedy, came home and announced that she was running for a position on her 5th grade Student Council.  She decided to run for Student Council Secretary. Of course me being Mrs. 'Empowerment' Mom, I asked why she didn't run for President or Vice President. Any daughter of mine should be President..right? She explained to me that she was VERY busy with her school schedule, homework and rehearsal four days a week for her lead part in her school play. With so many things going on she didn't want to take on too much, she wanted to be able to manager everything.  My daughters hear me talk all the time about how important it is to not take on too much, especially as a mom and to create some sense of balance in our everyday lives. I was telling this story to a friend of mine and she said, "You know she is talking just like you, right?"  I didn't even realize the correlation when she initially gave me her answer until my friend pointed it out. As moms and parents we truly do have a huge impact on our children, they are listening and watching what we do all the time. Wow!

Kennedy made it past the primary election and was on the official ballot. She focused her attention on her signs that she could place around the school.  She gathered her supplies and once again pulled out Barbie and friends to help with her campaign.

Barbie & Nikki - Official "Team Kennedy" Campaign Members 

 

Kennedy was super excited to kick off her "Vote Kennedy for Student Council Secretary" campaign.  She was ready to chant "Take Note....Vote For Kennedy!!!" in the school hallways and shake lots of hands..too cute! After her campaign week, she finalized her speech that she would deliver to an auditorium full of fourth and fifth grade students. She practiced in front of the family and with Barbie, I'm sure she was probably less nervous in front of her dear Barbie friends!  She gave a great speech but said she was super nervous and messed up on some parts. 

 



 



As a girl and teen I never had the drive to go for things like this,  I was very shy and insecure. I was afraid of failure.  Both of my daughters are self motivated to try different things and are so fearless. I am amazed at the things that they go after and their confidence.  I try to instill in them that they can do anything, and it is okay to try things and fail.  I also expose them to fearless women and girl role models, through the work that I do in my community and with my non-profit.  Earlier this week I had my daughters watch this new mini documentary about Mo'Ne Davis a 13 year old girl baseball pitcher that is defying all the odds and creating a new meaning to "Throw Like A Girl" with her 70 mile per hour fastball..whohoo!

Mo'Ne Davis (Image Credit: Al Tielemans/Sports Illustrated)

I also love that brands like Barbie are using their platform to show girls that anything is possible, like with President Barbie and their new Entrepreneur Barbie. It is important that our girls see women and girls in leadership roles! Kennedy aka Future President of The United States of America has a nice ring to it!

Kennedy's President Barbie, Love Her Platform!

 

After all of Kennedy's hard work she ended up not winning her school election.  I was so nervous for her as a mom and hoped that she would win.  When she got the news she was initially disappointed and a little sad, but she told us that she knew that she was super busy and that maybe this was a good thing as she could stay focused more on school and the other activities going on in her life. This great attitude from a 10 year old! We told her how proud we were of her along the way and that whatever the outcome was at least she tried and it was a great experience that would prepare her for many great things to come.   I am truly a proud mommy to have such amazing daughters!

How do you instill confidence and ambition in your sons or daughters? Do you have children that grew up like I did, with a lack of self confidence and are afraid to try new things? We would love to hear your thoughts and stories as it is not easy raising empowered girls and boys!  Be sure to share your experiences and comments below or on the official Barbie Project website!

Continue to follow our journey on this project and support our mission to empower women and girls by following us on our website, Facebook, Twitter!

 

 

This is part of a group of posts in partnership with #BarbieProject .

All words and images are 100% organic and authentic.



The Barbie Project

So excited to announce that I was invited to be a part of a new initiative called " The Barbie Project" which is launching this month! Growing up I have many memories of playing with my Barbies, picking out the perfect outfits for my dolls, styling my Barbies and taking them on amazing imaginary adventures! As a mom of two daughters ages 10 and 15 (19 days until she is 16...sniff..sniff..so not ready) Barbie has been a big part of my family.  In December my youngest daughter, Kennedy, turned 10. As you all know empowerment of women (especially moms) and girls are what fuels my passion and my non-profit. I love a good party and any chance to empower our next generation of women and girls!  Ms. Kennedy came up with a theme for her party based on the "I Can Be" Barbie line of dolls.

I so love this line of dolls that focuses on careers like doctors, computer engineers, presidents, veterinarians, teachers, artist, and designers.  She thought it would be cool for her friends to come dressed up as who they want to be when they grow up. My daughters are my 'why' and have fueled  my journey to empower girls and women over the last 7 years.  Hearing her ideas for her party made my heart melt, hopefully I am doing something right!  I took her idea and ran with it and it turned out amazing!

My daughter wants to be a scientist/actress when she grows up! Check out Ms. Kennedy in her lab coat ready for her party!

"I Can Be" Party Decor by Kustom Kreations Photography & Celebration Decor

We had future authors, camp counselors, singers, artist, mechanical engineers and several doctors in attendance. Guest were invited to share more details about their dreams and career aspirations during the party.

Since Kennedy loves science we had a special guest come and do a robotics demonstration and all the girls and boys got to team up with a partner and build their own robots.  At the end of the party the robots faced off during a sumo challenge. Proud to say that in the final round the robot built by one of the girl's teams beat the boy's robot!!

 

I am ALWAYS looking for any way to help raise strong and confident girls.  I am truly honored to be a part of this new project that will help moms and daughters explore how to use playtime and imagination in new empowerment ways.  It's only been a few weeks since we have engaged in the project but it has already opened up many new avenues.  I am usually always busy doing mommy things when Kennedy is in her own world playing with her toys.  Since the project launch I have found myself more curious about what goes on in her world. I have actually been amazed to see the creative ways she plays with her Barbies.  She recently got the President Barbie doll and held a campaign with her Barbies!

I really loved the message on the back of the box which we put up in her room.  I reminded Kennedy that until recently we had never had an African American president and now we have one!   We also discussed that their have been no female presidents and this Barbie shows that anything is possible! 

I was also really surprised and happy to see this new song that Barbie released recently which focuses on girl empowerment and the fact that anything is possible for our daughters! I am really honored and excited to see what comes out of this amazing project and hope that my journey over the next six months with my daughters will be filled with fun, creativity, imagination, self discovery, and empowerment!

Check out Barbie's new girl power song, "Anything Is Possible" performed by Fifth Harmony Kennedy LOVES them!!!!! Be sure and share it with your daughters!

Click here to learn more about The Barbie Project! Be sure to follow our journey with this new project on our Empower Her, Inc. blog, social media channels:  Facebook, Twitter #BarbieProject, and Pinterest! To support or learn more about our non-profit organization and mission to empower women and girls visit our website www.empowerherinc.com!