It struck me the other day that the most and often only thing I hear people say to little girls is “you’re pretty.” They are pretty. They are cute. They are lovely. And they are so much more than that. Girls need to hear more about the other things they are. In no particular order here are some things you can say to girls instead of and in addition to “you’re so pretty.”
- You’re smart
- You’re clever
- You’re funny
- You’re creative
- You’re doing it
- You rock
- You nailed it
- You figured it out
- You’re awesome, fabulous, energetic, forceful, and charismatic
- You’re a hard worker…keep on
- You’re fit, you run,
- You sing, such bling, so fun…
Blowing Bubbles – Photo by Lolita Parker, Jr.
If letting go of the pretties is difficult for you,” my pretty”, said in my best Wicked Witch of the West voice imitating actress Margaret Hamilton in The Wizard of Oz*, try this:
(You’re) pretty cool
Pretty smart
Pretty strong
Pretty fierce
Pretty chill
Pretty funny
Pretty awesome
Pretty energetic
Pretty forceful
I’m pretty sure you get it.
Pretty is as pretty does and beauty is as beauty was
But my brain spoke and I must say
Girl’s are so much more than pretty…
Okay?
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*”I’ll get you, my pretty, and your little dog, too!” is the full quote from The Wizard of Oz.
If you like this post, you might also like a previous post I wrote, Will This Keep my Grandson Safe?