A Letter to My Strong-Willed Daughter

Darling girl,

When I found out I was pregnant with you, I was scared. I already had your brother and we had settled into a nice routine. I didn’t know how I would adjust to life with two when I wasn’t sure how well I was doing with just one most days.

I already had a child, but you managed to surprise me with how many firsts I would walk through with you.

From the time you were in my womb, you did things in a different way. You wanted sweets, so I craved different things. I gained more weight from eating whole pans of brownies. I felt sick all the time when the first go around was a breeze.

You didn’t stop there. You decided you wanted to rest your sweet head closer to my heart refusing to flip and enter the world the head first. So, my breech babe, you took your first breathe after a c-section. Both firsts.

I spent the first months of your life wearing you on my chest because that is where you were most content to sleep – unless it was between 5-7PM. Then, it was a matter of survival because you screamed nonstop. More firsts.

You smiled early and that made things easier. You fell into your own routine of eating, sleeping, pooping and cuddling. Then, you started to talk. And, then, you started to walk.

When you put those two skills together, you became an unstoppable force. A hurricane level force. I did not know what to do with a baby who knew how to stand her ground. You were only a year old when you started trying to be the one in charge.

Even today, you do not take no for an answer and you will not be quieted when it matters to you. One day, these traits will take you far. But, these days, they sometimes make me throw my own tantrums.

With you, I experienced my first time leaving a grocery cart full of food to deal with a screaming child. There was also a time when we had to eat our restaurant meal in the car. Another time you got us singled out in mommy and me gymnastics class. And more than once I have had to carry you out of a store in a football style hold while you were kicking and screaming.

It has not been easy walking through some of these new firsts. But, my strong-willed daughter, you are also my shimmering star. You light up a room. You demand love from everyone you meet, and really, who could refuse? Between your wicked sense of humor and your constant cuddles, you are a joy. You have the heart and the mind of a warrior. You are so strong.

Jo was always my favorite March sister, and now I have my own strong-willed little woman. Your pregnancy, those first few months and your toddler years were all preparing me to be your mother. I needed to be stronger in order to raise my strong girl. You, baby girl, will be Wonder Woman – Superwoman - The Boss.

There will be many more firsts. I’ll try to remember I’m still learning. And, I’m learning a lot from you.