Rediscovering Girlhood Through Parenthood

Reflecting on my childhood, I often feel that my mother made me miss out on girlhood. She was the living proof that the cat fights depicted on screen are real; genuine friendships among girls seem to come with a catch.

Her narcissistic traits meant my existence was viewed as either 'in her way' or ‘helpful.’ There was no space for me to simply exist as myself. I learned to mold myself into who she needed me to be, losing sight of my own identity in the process. I became everything but me, an actor playing various roles in my own life, unaware of who I really was.

When I became a parent, it became clear to me that the most important part of parenthood was discovering who my children were and who they wanted to become. To foster their curiosity, I realised I needed to stay curious alongside them.

As I grow as a mother, I find immense gratitude for how forgiving they are. They love me so deeply, despite all the mistakes I have made (and will continue to make). 💕

Today, I can proudly say that I am a "girl's girl." My daughter thrives in her version of girlhood, revelling in the support, love, and connection that it brings. And ssshhhhh—don’t tell her I’m living vicariously through her! 😄