Finding the light of confidence, brings me to my daughter, who is struggleing with kids at school. Of that social awkard stage, the hormons, style, and the never ending being picked on becuase you are just to pretty looking or not good enough or just not right.
The bulling that has lead her to a low self-esteem, and drowned out her inner light. She has been pushed to the point that she feels less of herself, and maybe less of me too. I try my best to help, but sometime my words of suggestions are not the best to give. The picking on not just comes from kids at school, but I see it coming from someone that is very dear to me, a first woman in my life, my own mother. Yes Mom (you). She has always been hard on me, for some reasons they are good, but others seemed they were just down right mean. I often felt I had to dress, style my hair, chose my friends with my mothers acceptance. If  I failed at this I would feel sadden, depressed, my confidence was evaporated. I thought I was never good enough for her, or good ever please her.
Now that I am a parent I try very hard not to be that way, I want my daughter to feel she has some freedom to express herself, show her beautiful colors on the outside instead of hiding them on the inside. I have witnessed my mother not approve of my daughter, the way she dresses, or does her hair. But being a teenager is tough it is a double black eye, bloody nose kind of thing. Being a parent is has it punches too. I feel helpless that I may not have the right answers for my daughter, I listen with an open heart, and open mind. Not to be judgmental of her choices as long as there is no harm to herself or others. She has such a beautiful heart so warm and caring, passionate and so compasionate.

I love you Mom, you are hard on me, I guess that is just your personality/persona and the only way you know how.
To my darling daughter, I love, I will always be there, and you will always be in my heart.<3