Zenobia was the legendary Queen of the East.
I know this because a few days ago, my 8-year-old daughter brought me her well-worn copy of Andrea J. Buchanan and Miriam Peskowitz's The Daring Book for Girls, which I had originally bought for her twelve-year-old sister's eighth birthday, for us to read together. Out of all the crafts, activities, history and biographies of great women, she decided we'd read the story of Zenobia, the 3rd century B.C. warrior Queen of Palmyra, in modern-day Syria. She was
a beneficent ruler, whose kingdom at one time stretched across the
entire Levant, until she rebelled against Rome and was overthrown.
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| My Daring Girls |
Fast-forward a couple of millenia. When I found out our first child would be a girl, I was thrilled. When I
found out our second and most likely last, was a girl, I let out a slow
breath and then proceeded to be equally happy. And I decided from the
very beginning that I would do everything I could to raise them strong
and independent and believing in their limitless potential. No, I would
not try to make them into the boys I'd never have. Why would I want to
do that? I was glad to have girls, and other than feats of sheer
strength and certain functions for which testosterone and hard-wired
aggression uniquely fit men, girls can do anything. (If God had rested after making the first man, I'd have judged humanity to be a bit of a
shoddy piece of workmanship, but happily, He wasn't finished yet.) Whatever vestiges of male chauvinism still clung to me as a young man were pretty much knocked off by my beautiful, precious daughters.
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| The Daring Book and a companion |
Anyhow, In an age when what's considered de rigueur for girls and women is dispensed by a society that belittles motherhood and seems hell-bent on robbing girls of their childhood as quickly as possible for maximum profit, The Daring Book for Girls is a refreshing step backwards. In 106 delightful articles, girls can learn everything from How to Whistle with Two Fingers to How to Negotiate a Salary, to Books That Will Change Your Life. Had The Daring Book come out long enough ago, Annie Oakley, Jo March and Idgie Threadgoode would have had it. My tomboy wife would have had it. Grandpa might have bought it for my mom, and Atticus Finch might have bought it for for Scout.
The Daring Book for Girls is a perfect gift for daughters and granddaughters, as would be your time spent reading it and doing its activities with them.
Oh, and Zenobia? Accounts differ on what became of her after she was captured and taken to Rome. But in a book like this, it's fitting that the ending is left up to the girl's imagination.
I love your sentiments on having two girls as I do too and feel the exact same way. They become what they become with help from us to be independent and and strong. We have the Daring Book for Girls although my Daughter#1 supplemented hers with The Girls Book of Glamour which Daughter#2 wouldn't touch with a bargepole - which shows they turn out the way they do whatever our input, though we can guide them to help themselves just as you are doing.
ReplyDeleteHi, DayDreamer. I have to laugh when I remember how I thought before our kids came along. Let's just say my idea of the nature/nurture ratio was way out of whack. They are definitely their own people. We mostly have to try to not trip them up. Seen on a co-workers cubicle: "When I was younger I had six different theories on raising children. Now I have six children and no theories."
DeleteGreat post Jer, and that book sounds WONDERFUL! I would have got it had I had girls! Whistling with two fingers? Terrific! Your girls are gorgeous! May they always dare.
ReplyDeleteI wondered what you may write on today this last post. Just to say it's been great making your acquaintance. HAppy flying! and all good wishes,
Susan
Susan Scott's Soul Stuff
Thanks, Susan. I am beyond blessed with my girls. I'm very glad to have met you and so many other great people this month. All my best.
DeleteIs it terrible that I sort of want this book for me? I never did learn how to whistle properly. Lovely piece...enjoyed the tidbit on Zenobia but loved the essay regarding your girls. Really drew me in. :-)
ReplyDeleteTerrible? Heck no, I think you'd have a great time with it. But then, you're talking to someone whose next book purchase may well be The Encyclopedia of Immaturity.
DeleteJerry, what a lovely post. It touches me on several levels. First, my mom's best friend growing up was named Zenobia. I can remember being fascinated by that name as a kid, and I was an adult before I knew about the Zenobia of history. Second, I also have two daughters. They are now your age, and they've grown into fine, intelligent, responsible, independent women. From the beginning, this is what I wanted for them. And, third, I've seen that book before and thought if it had been 20 years earlier, I would have bought it for my girls.
ReplyDeleteA line that struck me today: "Grandpa might have bought it for my mom, and Atticus Finch might have bought it for for Scout."
Thanks so much, Jerry. It's been such a pleasure to get to know you through your blogs and this challenge. xoA
Hi, Annis. Knowing you'd always have a great, insightful comment has been one of the highlights of this Challenge for me. I'm glad I know you in person!
DeleteI bought the Daring book for boys for my son a few years back but didn't know there was one for girls as well. I might just have to check that out for my daughter. Thanks for the recommend. Congratulations on making it to Z. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living
ReplyDeleteOur younger one came from the factory so daring, I don't really think she needs any encouragement. But there's plenty of non-hazardous activities in the book, too.
DeleteI'm with Anna. I think I'll secretly buy the book just to learn how to whistle with two fingers. Something everyone should know, don't you think?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great post Jerry. And congrats - you made it - A - Z :)
I sure do think so. Unfortunately, knowing and doing are two different things. I've seen instructions on how to do it but I still can't. Thanks for being part of this Challenge for me.
DeleteAwesome post! Your daughters look beautiful and confident. Don't ever underestimate the role you play in that. I'm going to put the books on my list of recommended readings for my patients to do with their parents. It looks great, but of course, I'll have to test it myself as well, just so I know what I'm telling them, though I already know how to whistle with two fingers.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious: does the cootie catcher really work?
Glad you liked it, Bethie. They are beautiful, but the confidence isn't a given. Something we have to keep nurturing and encouraging. I had to laugh at you saying you'll have to test things yourself - reminds me of when my brother and I got Legos when we were little. My Dad always had to build the thing on the box first. Then, it was our turn.
DeleteHaven't tried the Cootie Catcher...
I found it so disheartening when my daughter was young that blatant, blazing sexism still permeated the media to such a repugnant degree. It was as though the preceding years of feminist activism had never happened. For the first few years of her life, I refused to get cable TV, in part because of the programming, but largely because I found the sexualization of little girls in advertising to be vile and dangerous, and I wanted to protect her as much as possible from those influences. When I finally capitulated, the shows we watched were Xena, Warrior Princess, and a little bit later, Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Bring on the strong female role models! I wish I'd been able to give her a copy of The Daring Book for Girls.
ReplyDeleteYour daughters are lucky to have a dad like you.
And I'm so pleased to have met you through the A to Z challenge. Feels good to come out the other side, doesn't it? I'll be back to catch up on the posts I've missed.
By the way, Jer, are you on Twitter? The link at the bottom of the page just leads to the generic Twitter home page--not your profile.
Hi, Kern. It sounds like your daughters did great, book or no book. As for my daughters being lucky, I don't know, I usually don't feel like a very good dad, I'm just able to write about things that end up making me look good.
ReplyDeleteVery good to have made it through the Challenge, I didn't realize how proud I'd be. I've never done anything like this, and I'm usually not very good at "closing the deal," whatever it happens to be. I've got a lot of posts to catch up on, too.
I am on Twitter, but be warned. I've compartmentalized my social media life. My blog and facebook page are mostly politics-free and Twitter is my political outlet. It's almost 100% politics, so unless you're in the mood for conservative primal-scream therapy...
I wish I'd have known about the book earlier, as I'd have enjoyed reading The Daring Book For Boys with my sons. Your girls are adorable by the way! It was nice meeting you through the Challenge, and I look forward to getting to know you.
ReplyDeleteJulie