"Growing up as a girl" [Writer's contest 3]

Growing up as a girl isn't a very easy thing to do,, you are faced with a lot of challenges,, I'm gonna address just a few..

1.RESPONSIBILITIES AT HOMEThe moment you're born a girl you're already sidelined to the part of the house that deals with chores and management. The rules are tighter and more rigid, your friends are chosen for you. You're trained towards perfection, this isn't always easy or enjoyable but it's an inevitable phase in every  girl's life. You can react to this both negatively or positively. You can make something out of by this training or allow it bring you down, the choice now lies entirely in your hand and this brings us to the next stage.

2.DECISION MAKINGGirls are faced with decision making earlier than boys. You have to decide on how to respond to criticism, how to walk, what to do at a particular time and how to feel. Now, let's not get this twisted, your feelings are almost beyond your control. But it's also a decision you can mak. Ironic right?? The most important thing is that you make the right decisions.

3.CHANGES IN YOUR BODYPuberty can be a tough blow on a girl..  You become more emotional, more aware of the opposite sex and you start to have those really irritating mood swings. It's like all your senses are on full alert. Your periods set in, your looks begin to change. If you were very chubby, you may start to shed off some weight(like me ), you'd start to have acne and pimples, all these changes can seriously play with your self esteem, but like we earlier mentioned the decision is yours to make. Feel good about yourself and cultivate a healthy habit, find something you love doing and excel in it. Its a perfectly normal phase and of  course the longest you'd ever go through.

4.BEING A TEENAGERRebellion!!!!  Yes, this is synonymous with teenagers. Girls feel sexy and just want to fly. They want to explore and be the hottest girl in high school or college.  Sadly, only very few pass this stage unscathed.  A lot of mistakes are made, virginities are thrown away, too many unstable relationships, abortions, drugs, babies are brought  forth without adequate preparations. This stage is a stage of fashion, insecurity, social media show off, just to mention but a few. The role of God is forgotten more often than not in this stage.  But again, why all these? Its simple ;lack of a goals. As a woman, you should set goals for your life and work tooth and nail to achieve them, listen to advice from older people because they know a lot more than you do. If your life is occupied with productivity, there'd be no time for youthful exuberance.

5.INDEPENDENCEThe worst thing that can happen to a female is dependence of any kind. A woman should learn to be complete on her own. Waiting for anyone to give you stuffs before you can be happy can bring about serious emotional degradation. You'd be seen as a liability to parents, friends and even your spouse. Work hard and get a decent job, maintain a healthy relationship with everyone and see yourself glow and be the perfect wife, mother sister, daughter, confidant, friend and in totality the perfect woman.

NAME:  Jennifer Iroh