Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Niagara Water. All opinions are mine.
Raising a daughter is not an easy thing to do, no matter where you go. I want to raise mine to be a strong, confident person. Everywhere you go, there always seems to be competition between boys and girls, just in everyday life. There is a global frame of mind that girls can’t do the same things boys can do. I do not want my daughter to grow up thinking she can’t do something because “it’s for boys.” This includes sports.
I witnessed this very thing when I signed my daughter up for soccer. Her best friend was there too, with her brothers. She wanted to play soccer and be on the same team as my daughter, but her mom told her that soccer is not for girls, it is a boy’s sport! I was shocked, speechless really. I would never think to tell my child she cannot do something because it is meant for boys. In fact, I would encourage she try whatever it is she wanted to!
That poor little girl spent an entire season watching her best friend run around the field and learn what it’s like to be a part of a team and push yourself and each other to be better. She spent an entire season watching her brothers play a game she longed to be playing as well. I am sure her confidence went down the tubes that season, thinking that even her mom thought she couldn’t do the things her brothers were doing.
Thankfully her mom came around and the following season she didn’t hesitate to sign her up. She saw how happy my daughter was playing (and all the other girls on the team) and that it wasn’t a sport just for boys. Good for mom! She instantly boosted her daughter’s confidence by letting her know that she can do the same things as boys!
Girl Power in Action: Watch it With Your Daughter!
I feel it is so important to teach not only our girls that they have the power to do whatever they set their minds to, but also to teach our boys that girls can do the same things they can. In soccer, a goal is a goal, no matter who makes it. The point is the same if a girl scores it or a boy, right?
Check out this amazing Niagara Water video that depicts exactly what I am talking about (it brought a tear to my eye, you have to watch to the end!)
These girls are just as tough and athletic as the boys (one boy even says ‘I didn’t know girls could slide like that’!) Watch it with your daughter!
Show off your girl power in the #GirlUpSweeps & Enter for a chance to win a $700 soccer scholarship
Niagara Water has teamed up with USA Women’s Soccer player Heather O’Reilly in the Niagara Water Girl Up Sweepstakes. What does that mean for your daughter? It means that she has the opportunity to earn a $700 soccer scholarship for a week of soccer camp!
To enter, simply post a pic of your daughter playing soccer on Instagram or Twitter and use the hashtag #girlupsweeps. So simple! Or if you prefer, you can go directly to the website girlupandwin.com and upload it directly.
SHOW OFF YOUR GIRL POWER TODAY!
Has your daughter ever been told she couldn’t do something because she was a girl? How did you handle it? Tell us in the comments.
What a great campaign. My kids love playing soccer. Thanks for telling me about this giveaway!
This is such a great thing to do! We want to be able to teach our daughter that she can do whatever she wants to when she’s older and that includes any sports!
Thanks for sharing. My niece has been saying she wants to play soccers. I’m going to see about finding her one locally to join. Thanks.
I wish there was college scholarships when I played soccer. I started playing in middle school. I loved it and still do. Unfortunately, due to health problems I can’t play any longer. :(
What a great campaign! I don’t have a daughter but if I did, I would also teach him how to be a strong girl like her momma!
I love this!! I think it’s amazing to watch my daughter play sports that she loves!
This is such a great campaign! What a great way to promote girl power and strength in sports!
I’m glad my daughters have never said that. They know they can do anything boys can do. My youngest actually wants to join soccer, so I’m thinking of signing her up in the fall. My oldest one is in Girl Scouts.
This sounds like a great scholarship for any girl. Soccer is for both sexes and I am glad to hear her best friend was able to play. Your daughter looks so happy holding the trophy. I will have to share this with my niece for her little girl. Thanks for sharing.
Awww…looks like you have a little soccer start on your hands!! #GirlPower for sure!!
What a great campaign. My best friends oldest daughter (10) is loving soccer and my besite is a volunteer coach. They love the time together and both have so much fun.
IT is so important to teach your daughter to be all you can be! Too often they fall in traps of stereotypes! My daughter strives to be unique in everyway!
Both of my kids are playing rec co-Ed soccer this summer. My daughter will always be reminded that she can do anything she wants, girl or not.
My dad wanted to have a son for his first born. Haha. Tough luck. He got me! My dad taught me how to be handy – how to troubleshoot a car that won’t start, how to do simple electrical repairs, etc. etc. I thank him for that because I know that tools are not only for boys. Girls can “man-up” and fix toilets too!
I love this campaign. Girls should never think that they are the weaker sex.
I love this! It’s so important that we teach our girls that they are just as strong and capable as anyone else. I can’t believe the phrase “like a girl” is still used as an insult!
I am a strong woman and I like to try everything. Thankfully I have passed this on to my daughters. They play every sport and I encourage them to try new things. I tell them they can do anything they put their minds to.
I think it is the world we live in! But, I teach my girls they can do whatever they set their minds to. I love this campaign!