We recently celebrated the centenary of International Women’s Day last month. And we took the time to see how far women’s roles in society have changed in 100 years.  We’ve come a long way.

My mother is very old school; I can still hear her muttering that she doesn’t understand my choices sometimes.  The greatest irony of that situation is she is the one who raised me to aim higher than she did.

She insisted I get a tertiary education; even when my father scoffed at the idea.  She was pleased when I wanted to travel.  She instructed me to not get married before 25; give me a chance to grow and learn about myself before committing to another.

These are the sorts of pearls I want to pass onto my daughter.  Now I don’t need to discuss how women struggle with the ‘super woman’ title and we have realised that perhaps we are trying to pack too much into our lives…all to be done at this very minute.

But the biggest surprise was when my daughter was in Year Two said she wanted to be a mum, a teacher and an art teacher.  “But how will I be able to do all that?” she lamented.

Oh dear, seven years old is a little young to be so cynical isn’t it?  I would have liked my daughter to believe that she could have and be anything she wanted when she grew up.  There’s enough time later on for reality to set in; when she realizes hard work and tough choices need to be made.

But just like the strong women I so admire, my daughter found a role model in her teacher.  You see my daughter’s teacher was a mum, a teacher and an art teacher.

“Mrs Cowie is all three things mum.  Maybe I can do it too”, my daughter said with a beaming smile on her face.

Yes you can my dear, if you want it, yes you can.

So a few weeks ago my daughter turned 10 years old.  I have been a mother for 10 years.  10 years is a milestone.  It is something to be celebrated; it is a time for reflection.  Since my daughter was born my husband and I have added another three children to our brood.  We have been busy these last 10 years.  No wonder I’ve lost track of time.

At 10 we’re heading into the business end of raising a child.  I have managed to teach my daughter how to do shoe laces, use her manners and wipe her own bottom but from here on in is where we really let who she is out of the bag.  Her very own free thinking, thought provoking, challenging, independent self.  This is what I can’t wait for.  This is why I had children.

But realistically speaking, I probably only have another 10 years with my daughter.  Even if at 20 years old, the electoral role still has her living with me, I am positive I will see her pass me by on the way to the shower and then pass me again on the way out the door.

Because that’s what you do when you’re 20.  And fair enough too.  Name me another time when you can be so wonderfully spontaneous, busy, and to a degree, responsibility free?

So what have I learned in the first 10 years?  I have learned that knee scrapes heal, siblings at play is one of the sweetest things you’ll see and cornflakes for dinner are okay occasionally. (read: when I couldn’t be stuffed cooking).

For my daughter, I would have to say that starting kindergarten was the biggest learning curve for her.  6 months into kindergarten and my daughter changed so much from a little shy, kind of awkward looking, girl that walked away from me that first day; to a confidence independent student who brought home her first report card with a beaming smile on her face.

Officially my daughter is a tween and the transition from child to tween hasn’t been traumatic.  There’s the odd drama here and there but even I am guilty of that.

“What? You can’t find your shoe? Well now we’re going to be late and you know how I hate to late!”

“Mum, we’re only to the pizza place. It doesn’t shut for another 4 hours and they have plenty of tables.”

Ahem. Sometimes I do wonder exactly who does the parenting around here.