This is a sponsored post in collaboration with Ivory Soap. However, all opinions expressed are my own.
It's inevitable. Our daughters grow up.
The ability for time to fly by so fast is beyond me, but, somehow these sweet little girls get to this tween stage where they are intuitive, curious and sometimes dramatic.
It can be worrisome, wondering if I am guiding her in the right direction. I want my daughter to feel comfortable talking with me about her problems, as trivial or serious as they may be. I want her to feel safe. I want to help her to be confident. I want her to stay true to herself and not feel pressure to grow up too fast. In the effort to just "do" instead of worry, I try to just focus on making some gentle moments with her. It gives me peace of mind, to know that I am taking steps to just be present.
What also eases my mind is that I choose products that are paraben-free and free of dyes for their growing bodies. I honestly stood in the deodorant aisle for 30 minutes looking at the back of ingredients once. And that is why I love about Ivory soap. They are just that, 99.44% pure and clean and doctor recommended for all members of the family, ages 3 and up!
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Ivory. The opinions and text are all mine.
Back to making gentle moments into memories. Here are three examples of how I try to be mindful with my pre-teen:
Share a notebook together. Write notes to each other. Ask her a question and let her answer back in the same book. Decorate it and make it special for both of you!
As comfortable as they may be with us, there may be something that is easier for them to write to you. It is also a great way to give some encouraging words that they can go back and read when they really need it!
Connect with them the way they connect with others. My daughter watches kids DIY videos, they hear about kids having blogs and their favorite channels and entertainers have social media profiles everywhere! They hear about it and are curious, so it presents a great way to talk about it and what you do and don't approve of. Take a selfie and have a smile together!
Allow them to be creative. Part of being true to yourself is digging in and allowing that creativity to come out. Whether it's painting something in the house or experimenting with recipes, sometimes you've got to allow them to get a little dirty. I think it helps when that mess is outside, lol. But you get the idea.
Ivory cares for your family, just in the same way you do. And can I just mention this added bonus?! When talking to preteens about face wash and such, Ivory bar soap is doctor recommended as a facial cleanser, so it makes it easier for them to take care of their own hygiene!
You can visit Ivory on Facebook and Instagram for more information!