Beyonce, Jennifer Garner and other prominent women are
promoting the “Ban the B Word Campaign.”
They claim girls and young women are afraid to assert themselves and
fulfill leadership roles for fear of being called “BOSSY,” therefore the word
should be banned, allowing women to take their rightful roles in society. Is
this a remake of the “Women’s Lib” movement of the 1960’s? IMO, “Bossy” is the result of a character
trait that has not been guided into the proper channels. If you don’t want Hollywood Icons telling your
children how to handle words or character traits, the step up, take charge of the
role you assumed the moment that little girl or boy was born.
Having been born the oldest of 5 girls and, for the last 36 years, the mother of 2 boys,
I will say that “Bossy” is not gender specific. As in all characteristics, "Bossy," shows up in boys and girls, alike.
As a child, I was called “strong-willed.” I was never called “strong-willed” in a
positive light, so I grew up thinking that was a horrible trait that would
cause me much grief over my lifetime.
Then I gave birth to a “strong-willed” little boy and it
all became perfectly clear. My problem
was not being “strong-willed” it was learning how to submit that will to God
and allow Him to use that character trait He had placed in me for His
purpose. Believe me, my “strong-will”
has come through in some tough situations and help me to stand strong for the
right things. That “strong-willed” little
boy has grown up to be a “strong-willed” man with a “strong-willed”
little boy of his own.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it.
Parents this verse doesn’t mean just taking your kids to
Sunday School, saying meal and bedtime prayers with them and teaching them what
NOT to do. Training your child is
allowing God to show you a glimpse of His plan for this precious little person
entrusted to your care. Let God do a
work in your child’s life by guiding and molding all these wonderful character
traits into tools to be used for His Glory.
God places certain character traits in each one of us to be
nurtured and developed for His purpose.
If your child is BOSSY, help
them to understand true leadership is not making everyone do what they choose
but having a goal, planning and allowing others to contribute their ideas to
reaching that goal. If your child is STRONG-WILLED, don’t think you must “break”
that will; instead teach them that being strong-willed doesn’t mean always doing
what they want without regard to anyone else.
It means living a disciplined life, submitting their will to God’s will
and being strong enough to not fall apart when He asks them to do the hard
things. If your child is COMPLIANT, help them to understand that
there are many voices speaking into their life and you will help them to learn
to listen and follow the ONE VOICE that loves them and has a great plan for
their life. If your child is a DRAMA-QUEEN/KING, recognize the
positive aspects of their emotional traits.
They probably feel situations in a way that a calmer child does not
experience. Instead of becoming a “Drama-Parent,” turn the “drama” into
compassion for others. This child will
probably be the one that will “weep with those who weep and laugh with
those who laugh.” God has some
great adventures planned for your little Drama-Queen/King.
So while I agree that the word “bossy” is not a word that
girls or boys desire to be labeled, having Hollywood Icons proudly declare, “I AM
BOSSY!” is not what our children need to hear. Families need mature, Godly Dads and Moms that will recognize the character traits
God has placed in their children and help nurture and develop them into strong,
Godly young people. 
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