How do we help our daughters to become resilient women, women who can endure the hard knocks of life and still thrive?

Meridian is resilient; she comes back from the blows of life and stands tall once again. How do we help our daughters to become resilient women, women who can endure the hard knocks of life and still thrive? Is this possible only through pain and loss?

This was what I identified with most in this book. I was so impressed by how she lived her life, especially for the times. Growing up in this era made me sensitive to the subtle, and not so subtle, ways women were made to feel any step away from the "norm" was looked down upon, even by other women. I have always encouraged my daughter to live her truth, get a good education, and be independent. I taught her, and also my son, to be comfortable outside the traditional roles. She is now an educated, single 30 year old who owns her own home and has decided being a mom is not for her. My son, on the other hand, is a stay at home dad to 3 children and a great cook. I could not be prouder of both of them.

Learning to be resilient doesn't always involve pain and loss, but usually involves tough decisions and some sacrifices. I raised both of my daughters to be independent and to think for themselves. They had to work to put themselves through college and to this day, that is the thing they are both the most proud of. Both have excellent jobs, children, homes, and earn a higher wage than their husbands.

I think we start to teach our children, both male and female, to become resilient and strong from a very early age. I think adaptability and the ability to have a plan B are some of the best skills we can help them develop.if we can encourage them to go with their own beliefs, be sensitive to others but not reliant or manipulated by them, we will raise strong adults. Sometimes I think that children today are given so much they will lack the confidence on gains by earning something they want. I'm not sure being sheltered and indulged leads to the creation of a strong, independent adult.

We start at a young age teaching our children to be educated ( not necessarily college) and find what their passion is and go for it. Education, live on your own to find yourself as a person than settle down with a partner.

I think Meridian's Mom did this by example. Scrubbing floors and cleaning for other people so her daughter could continue her education qualifies as hard knocks and she continued to thrive.

I believe all of my now adult children have learned by example. Life has not always been easy, but I think I have shown my children that you can work through most things and not loose your compassion for others and, perhaps most importantly, your sense of humor

Education and challenges are so important. Encouragement goes a long way!

We have to lead by example and be honest and open. I have always shared my pride in strong and accomplished women with my children.

Since I've only experienced raising boys I can only guess about raising girls in the 21st century. I had previously thought that it might entail trying to wedge them into gray flannel pantsuits and sensible shoes so they could withstand the slights that our patriarchal culture imposes upon females. However, I've observed (and learned through experience) that you can't wedge/force children into a predetermined direction. Some girls I've watched grow up who've had strong, independent mothers seemed to intentionally select frilly dresses, beauty competitions and ultra-feminine trappings as a form of rebellion. I think that would have driven me a bit crazy as a mother since I've never been a "frilly, fussy" woman. All in all, I think today's young women were lucky I wasn't their mom.

The first thing mothers must do is be honest about marriage and selecting a partner. There may be the exception-- the girl who meets the man of her dreams early in life and is thrilled with her partner to the end, but there is not just one person for you; a girl must really think about what she wants out of life. Think past just the passion - as wonderful as passion is and can be. Mothers need to talk about small habits of a partner that can be irritating, about sharing money, about possible political differences, the possible temptation of physical attraction to someone else as the thrill of simply being near someone calms down or even loses the fiery passion over the years, and the need to have trust. I also think that women need to talk to their daughters about having some form of income of their own.