Girls better than boys?

Yesterday, as my daughter got ready for school, I tried to speed up her dressing routine.

I pulled out a top she got from a friend for her birthday that reads: "Anything Boys Can Do Girls Can Do Better." It's a cute attitude shirt. Not too offensive unless you're a boy. And now that Julia's pining over one, she realizes that.

"I can't wear that," she said.

"Why not? Don't you love it?" I said smiling.

"It'll upset him," she said (referring to a boy in class who she's pleaded with me never to say his name, though I think she's told all the girls at school).

I thought, "So what!" but said in a sweet voice, "Oh. Why does it matter?"

"I don't want to hurt his feelings."

She's worried about hurting a boys feelings!!!

I believe in good manners, but I also don't think a girl should sell herself short for a boy. So I said: "Just so long as you don't stop thinking your just as good or better than the boys in whatever you try." Confidence is important, I'm thinking.

"OK"

Time will tell.

Arizona Moms Editor Yvette Armendariz shares stories about raising her kids and tips for busy parents in her Time-starved (goddess) Mom blog. She and her husband are raising two children, ages 8 and 11.