Lessons I’ve Learned From My Daughter Under the Spotlight

Man, it’s been a minute! Sometimes blogging feels natural and other times, the creativity just doesn’t seem to be there. But, I’m back with lots of thoughts to share after my hiatus the past several weeks…

This summer, I had the privilege of watching my oldest daughter perform at her theater camp’s final showcase. She was nervous all week, she never expected to land a lead role and as you can imagine, her anxiety flared up all week at home. We rehearsed every night. She practiced running lines with her friends. One week felt like one month. When Friday came she was a mix of emotions, mostly nerves as she swore up and down in the car that she’d forget her lines. Later that afternoon, as the lights came up and she stepped onto that stage with confidence, I felt something shift inside me. It wasn’t just pride—it was awe. In that moment, I realized she was teaching me more than I ever expected.

Here are the powerful lessons I learned from my daughter:

1. Take Up Space
She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t shrink. She claimed her moment. Watching her reminded me that we are all allowed to take up space—not just physically, but emotionally, creatively, and professionally. How many times have we dimmed ourselves to fit in? Our daughters deserve better examples.

2. Own Your Voice
Her lines weren’t just recited—they were delivered with heart. I saw in her a young woman who knows her voice matters. She’s not afraid to speak, to sing, to share. And it made me ask: When did I stop believing mine mattered, too?

3. Be Brave, Even When It’s New
This was her first theater camp, and she’d never auditioned for anything before. But she jumped in. She confidently auditioned. She learned. She practiced. She performed. And she did it all with courage. Sometimes we let the fear of being new stop us from even trying. Watching her reminded me that bravery doesn’t always roar—sometimes it simply steps forward.

4. Confidence Comes from Doing
Though she’s always had a flare for the dramatic (not sure where she gets that from 😉) she wasn’t born with stage presence—it came from showing up. Day after day, line after line. Confidence is built in the doing, not the waiting. That was a wake-up call for me: if I want to feel confident again, I need to keep showing up for myself.

5. Someone Is Watching—and Learning
As I watched her, she occasionally glanced my way. I realized she was looking for me—not for approval, but connection. We are mirrors for our daughters. What we model, they absorb. If I want her to believe in herself, I have to believe in me too.

This wasn’t just a proud mom moment—it was a life lesson. My daughter reminded me that the girl I once was still exists inside me. And she’s ready to take the stage again.

To every woman who’s ever questioned her place, her power, her worth: you belong. Take up space. Use your voice. Believe in yourself.

Our daughters are watching—and sometimes, they’re the ones leading the way.

With love 💕 

Brittany