As single moms or even just as a parent we sometimes forget the dreams we had as girls. Life has gotten in the way and our days are filled with diapers, making lunches, helping with homework, and trying to balance the budget. If you have daughters you have extra concerns as she grows into a young lady. Puberty, periods, and processing what it means to be (or not be) part of the “in” crowd.
What Being a Girl is Go-getters, Innovators, Risk-takers, and Leaders
For my daughter, I wanted her to be a go-getter, innovator, risk-taker, and leader. I am all these things so I wanted her to be those things as well. I made sure she was involved in activities that matched her interests including acting classes, modeling classes, flight school, and a social media apprenticeship. These activities along with her school extra-curricular activities helped her get into an Ivy-league university, become a student advisor, co-found a magazine, and serve on boards. She truly embodies the vision of the Girl Scouts’ G.I.R.L. (Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, and Leader) initiative.
I bring Girl Scouts up because I recently became aware of that acronym. Even though my daughter wasn’t a Girl Scout I believe it could have rounded out her girlhood experience. I’m thinking about all those badges she could have gotten from all the activities she was in and the skills she learned.
Helping Girls Reach Their Goals
A couple of years ago I went to an Atlanta Area Girl Scout event where I was a guest speaker. I got to see the organization up close and personal. I was there for the Camp Leadership career preparation session where I showed the girls how to create a LinkedIn profile.
I was impressed the Girl Scouts of Atlanta had the foresight to begin preparing their scouts for career life.
Being a Girl is More than Looks or Relationship Status
Being a girl is not just about looking pretty and being in a relationship, marriage and babies. It is growing into a woman with options to be whatever they want to be.
For all the things a girl can learn in the Girl Scouts, one of the most valuable things to learn is how to think critically and make decisions.
Being a Girl and Completing What You Start
Going through the LinkedIn profile building exercise helped the girls learn how to think about their future, their accomplishments, and the value of networking.
By the time the session was complete, most of the young ladies had their profile setup. It would take a few more weeks or months to complete it because they were just getting started. The average adult with a profile has only 50% of their profile complete. I am confident these girls will have their profiles completed by the time they finish high school and certainly before they finish college.
The Value of Being a Part of an Organization Like Girl Scouts
For younger girls still in elementary and middle school, the Girl Scouts continues to build their entrepreneurial skills with the annual Girl Scout Cookie campaign. They learn marketing, location scouting, accounting, and customer service.
As a parent who wants to make sure her daughter has the best advantage in life I encourage you to consider Girl Scouts. The friendships, the skills, and the entire experience will make all the difference in their lives.
If you live in the Atlanta area, the Greater Atlanta Girl Scouts’ enrollment campaign is open now. JoinGirlScoutsATL.com. When she’s a Girl Scout, she’s also a G.I.R.L.: Go-getter, Innovator, Risk-taker, Leader.
Samantha A. Gregory is an author, consultant, and speaker. She’s a single-mom lifestyle, money, and parenting expert featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, Essence Magazine, HuffPost, ABC News, and Mint.com.
Samantha founded the award-winning RichSingleMomma.com™, the first online magazine featuring personal finance, parenting, and personal development content and courses for single moms.
She aims to inspire women who are ready to thrive and not just survive in their single motherhood journey. Connect with her on Instagram @richsinglemomma.
