Attention, Mothers of Young Daughters
by Nafisa Idrees
I was deeply disturbed when my daughter recently spoke about an uncomfortable encounter she had faced. But alongside the worry, I felt glad that she trusted me enough to share her truth without fear or filter, and I also felt pride in how well she handled the situation. We discussed what had happened and explored together how she could respond wisely if anything similar occurred again. Now, as she steps into adulthood, I often reflect on her journey, from an uncertain teenager to a young woman finding her voice. In this article, I want to share some insights I have learned along the way as both a mother and a businesswoman.
The Balancing Act of Motherhood and Business
Running a business often feels like climbing an endless hill — juggling clients, finances, legal systems, home, life, and health, all while the market demands constant reinvention. It’s exhausting, but what comforts me is the hope that one day my daughter will step forward and grow this business that I am now building with such great effort. My business, I believe, will one day be my legacy.
However, children don’t automatically follow their parents’ footsteps. They have their own dreams, pace, and voice. The real challenge is to balance guidance with friendship, protection with freedom, and discipline with dialogue. The world our daughters are growing up in is far more complex than the one we knew. Surrounded by social media, peer pressure, and artificial intelligence shaping how they think, communicate, and define success and beauty, young girls face impossible standards. As mothers, we can’t isolate them from this digital reality, but we can teach them to navigate it with awareness. Just as we once taught them to be careful crossing the road, now we must teach them to scroll carefully.
Protecting Daughters in the Social Media Age
Social media is a double-edged sword — a space for expression and connection, yet also for judgment and misinformation. Teens may confuse likes with love or measure self-worth through followers. As mothers, we have felt similar confusion and can empathize.
We cannot always set hard boundaries online, but we can explain them. Discuss how attention can turn toxic, how images can be misused, and how predators may disguise themselves as friends. Teach her that confidence must be rooted in reality, not visibility. Remember, she learns more from your actions than your words. If she sees you valuing real-life connections over virtual ones, she’ll learn to do the same. From discipline to dialogue, gentle guidance is key. Teenagers need silent support more than constant correction. Listening before advising, sharing your own struggles, and engaging in real conversations about emotions, friendships, and challenges nurtures her growth.
Raising Daughters Who Carry the Legacy
Today’s world carries subtle dangers — online harassment, peer pressure, and sometimes inappropriate behavior even in familiar circles. Awareness and attentiveness are essential. Teach your daughter that her body is her own, that no means no, and that self-respect is non-negotiable. These lessons can be woven into everyday moments with ease and playfulness. Make time for small joyful interactions, however brief. Be playful, share laughter, and create spontaneous memories that strengthen your bond. Involve her in your business world naturally — discuss challenges, ask for input, or let her help with creative tasks. These experiences build connection, confidence, and understanding.
How we treat our parents and elders also shapes her values. Encourage relationships with grandparents to instill heritage and humility. Embrace your ethnicity and faith as anchors of strength, showing her how to balance tradition and modern life with pride and adaptability. Our daughters are growing up in a time of both opportunity and challenge. Our greatest legacy is not material — it is the wisdom, empathy, and unshakable belief we instill in them, enabling them to shine safely, strongly, and beautifully in their own light.
