3 Ways I Keep My Daughter Motivated to Keep Playing #LikeAGirl

“Mommy, I’m a beast!”

“That’s right! Mommy is too!”

This is a typical conversation when we talk about our athletic ability. I am super competitive and it has fully rubbed off on all of my children.

We like to go hard with games around these parts, which includes sports and we’re always in competing mode.

It’s actually fun to see them with so much confidence in their abilities, especially on their sports teams.

I am especially proud of my daughter, Bailee. She loves painting nails, doing hair, wearing dresses, boots & bows. But Bailee will get down and dirty with the best of them.

Bailee rides bikes, scooters, & horses. She loves gymnastics & is a state track champion. She always been an active child and I don’t see any signs of her slowing down.

She calls herself a risk taker and proud to play #LikeAGirl

Keeping Her Motivated

Although the Olympics Games have come and gone, I still desire to keep my daughter active and competitive. Keeping my daughter motivated is not hard if you know a few easy steps:

1. Letting her know I will always support her. I teach her that it’s not about winning (all the time) but it’s how you perform. If you did your best, you can always be proud of yourself.
2. Allowing her to try new things when she expresses an interest. Recently, my daughter expressed an interest in horseback riding after watching a summer of movies on Netflix. I found a ranch in the area that offers lessons and she starts this week.
3. Continue to be an example in front of her with positive language, actions & discipline.  In my house, our children see us working out to stay fit, cooking good foods to stay healthy & loving on them with tons of hugs & kisses!

Playing #LikeAGirl is just who she is!

Growing up, I danced & ran track from 4th – 12th grade. I continued to be active throughout adulthood with a variety of things, which include our children. Which makes it a no brainer that my daughter would be just as active.

If you watch closely (video below), you will see that Bailee’s confidence can be contagious as she shares her thoughts on these 4 topics:

• Why she likes playing sports
• Why girls should stay active in sports
• What does it mean to play #LIKEAGIRL
• What would she do in the Olympics Games

Olympic GIRLS

Gabby Douglas is to my daughter, what Jackie Joyner Kersee was to me back in the 80’s. Bailee’s been fortunate enough to see her in two years of the Olympics Games and follow her career at a young age. She even has Gabby Douglas on her vision board with hopes of meeting her one day.

Outside of mommy motivation, she gets to see other women/girls doing great things in sports & following their dreams. Research tells us that girls have limited role models to inspire them to play sports.

This year, we watched the Olympic Games together and she wanted to watch every sport a girl was active in. Although, she loves Gabby she was able to watch some new favorites as well. I believe it motivated her to work harder in her current sport and understand that greatness starts young.

Always #LikeAGirl Keep Playing

Watch the new video Always #LikeAGirl – Keep Playing which shows why keeping girls active is so important.

I recently learned that by the age 17, at the end of puberty, more than half of girls (51%) will have quit sports! That is a sad fact and my daughter is at the half way mark. When I was a senior in high school, I stopped running track. It’s one of my biggest regrets because I could have possibly received a scholarship if I would have finished the year. I wished my mother would’ve pushed me to finish especially after putting in so many years.

I love the Always #LikeAGirl Keep Playing Campaign, because it recognizes the need for girls to stay active beyond puberty. My daughter hasn’t started puberty yet, but she has started asking questions. I will however, be her #1 supporter and cheerleader as I teach her that puberty is natural part of life and doesn’t stop any activity she wants to do.

A few important facts about girls:

• 7 out of 10 girls ages 16-24 felt they did not belong in sports, especially during puberty
• 67% of girls feel that society does not encourage them to play sports
• Two-thirds of girls agree that sports bring them increased confidence

It’s encouraging when a great brand like Always wants to encourage girls all over the world to stay in sports and Keep Playing #LikeAGirl because sports help girls build and maintain confidence.

As a mother of a daughter that is a major risk taker, I look forward to seeing her grow in to a woman. I love cheering her on and will always be her #1 cheerleader!

GOOOO Bailee!!!!

This post is sponsored by Always #LikeAGirl Campaign but all thoughts are 100% my own.

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