Your mother can be your best friend and guardian angel at the same time.
Her love is unconditional and endless. She always knows what to say to make everything better and to motivate you to move forward. And whatever she does, she always has your best interest at heart.
But some mothers don’t always put enough effort into understanding their children and listening to them without judgment. When it comes to a mother-daughter relationship, life can be incredibly hard for a girl who does not receive enough support from her mom.
There are certain things that every daughter needs from her mother. Sometimes, hearing “I love you” is not enough for a girl to know that her mom is right beside her through thick and thin.
Here are 5 things a mother should always provide for her daughter:
1. Emotional support.
Being there for your children doesn’t end with providing them with food, clothes, and a roof above their heads. To be there for your kids means to give them the emotional support they need in terms of warmth, closeness, and empathy. For a mother to be supportive of her daughter means to hold her hand through the challenges she faces as a female in today’s world, teach her the value of positive body image, help her establish healthy self-esteem, and so much more.
In fact, according to Psychology Today, daughters who experienced painful relationships with their mothers are more likely to report low self-esteem and more physical appearance insecurities. However, that’s only a small part of the mental health damages a girl could suffer if her mom is emotionally distant.
2. Physical comfort.
In a mother-daughter relationship, physical comfort is as important as emotional support. There is something special in a mother’s touch that no other feeling can replace. Holding your mother’s hand while going through an overwhelming experience can reduce your anxiety to a minimum. And when she’s not there to hold you, just knowing that she is always there for you is enough to calm you down and give you the motivation to keep moving forward.
3. High expectations.
Having a parent who believes in you and expects you to fulfill your potential does not mean being raised by someone with impossible expectations for your future. Mothers with high and healthy expectations for their daughters believe in their girls’ capability to follow their dreams and develop into successful women. What’s more, they are eager to do everything in their power to support their daughters’ growth. In other words, a mother’s high expectations serve as a driving force for her daughter to never give up on her goals and become the fierce woman she was born to be.
4. Positive self-image.
Daughters raised by mothers who are constantly judging their choices develop deep insecurities they may never fully heal from. Growing up in an environment infused with rejection and criticism inevitably leaves painful marks on a girl’s mental health. But when a woman realizes the value of self-acceptance, she naturally transfers this belief into her daughter’s mind.
A mother’s example when it comes to body positivity and self-acceptance is crucial for young girls’ self-perception. When a little girl sees her mom dressing up and being glad at what she sees in the mirror, she usually does the same. She walks up to the same mirror, takes a look at herself, and smiles, knowing that she is beautiful just the way she is.
5. Authoritative parenting.
According to Diane Baumrind, an eminent clinical and developmental psychologist, there are four parenting styles: authoritarian, authoritative, permissive, and uninvolved. Authoritative parents are described as reasonable and nurturing. As experts report, girls raised by authoritative mothers are less likely to experience shame, social isolation, dependence on others, and external locus of control. Therefore, this style of parenting is highly encouraged not only when raising daughters, but sons too.
What do you think a daughter needs from her mother? Leave a comment to let us know!