Sleepovers conjure up some of my fondest childhood memories. They were such a perfect way to spend time with my friends. While we maybe stayed up a bit later than usual, we played fun games, watched a good movie before going to sleep. It was an ideal night of fun and bonding, right?

Well, maybe not. The more I remember my own experiences, the logistics of sleepovers and read horror stories in the news, the more I'm thinking that maybe sleepovers weren't the childhood memory I originally thought and probably aren't in the cards for my own children.

Perhaps if children really did eat some snacks, play a board game, watch a Disney movie and go to sleep, we would all feel better. But we know this isn't the reality. Changing clothes, bathing and sleeping in an unfamiliar home with unfamiliar people (siblings, parents...etc) provide ample opportunity for tomorrow's news headlines. Combine that with adolescent decision-making skills, peer pressure and the physical/mental/emotional strains of sleep deprivations and, well, sleepovers just don't seem like the good idea they used to be. Here are 7 things to think about:

1. You don't know people as well as you think

How well do you know the parents of your child's friend? Even if you can answer a lot of personal questions about them, it may not be enough. No matter how much we'd like to think we know our friends and neighbors, sometimes we hardly know them at all. This isn't a matter of distrust, it's a matter of keeping your children safe. Of course you can still maintain friendships and relationships with them, but the best place for your children to sleep at night is at home, in their own beds and under your supervision. Whether or not your friends and neighbors are good or bad people isn't the question - it's a matter of keeping your children away from potentially bad situations.

2. Nothing good happens after midnight

Some of the wildest ideas occur to us after a certain hour of the night. Add in a bunch of young, impressionable minds, a desire to break a few rules, and a pinch of peer pressure, and you've got a bad situation on your hands. Even with a good amount of parental supervision (which can't be guaranteed at a sleepover), kids have a way of keeping secrets and sneaking around. Bringing children together for a long night to sleep in the same room together can bring about some behaviors or activities you may not want your child exposed to. At the end of the day, you're looking out for your child's safety and that is harder to guarantee when your child is somewhere else at the more vulnerable parts of the night.

3. Very little sleep actually happens

While the word "sleep" is in "sleepover" that doesn't mean anybody is actually sleeping. Some kids try to pull all-nighters and even when they try to sleep, they can't. Being in an unfamiliar home in an unfamiliar bed does not allow for a restful night. While staying up a bit late once in a while can be a fun treat, the reality is, children need to be sleeping in order to develop and grow properly. Missing out on sleep, children show decreases in attention span and memory at a time when school requires those skills be at their highest. Encouraging your child to stay at home and sleep in their bed will ultimately improve their quality of sleep and get the health benefits attached to that.

4. Social media only makes sleepovers worse

Peer pressure and late-night decline in decision-making skills are the primary drivers of poor behavior at sleepovers for children. However, adding in social media can catalyze those decisions. Whether encouraging kids to take part in unsavory behavior or serving as a pathway for cyber-bullying, social media serves as an opportunity to dramatically increase the negative aspects of a sleepover. Should you choose to host a sleepover at your own house, at least consider taking away phones or having them turned off and stored to limit the exposure and temptation the platforms can bring.

Read7 proven ways to be a cool mom

5. The morning after can be disconcerting

Following a less-than-restful night's sleep, children are faced with a morning of unfamiliarity. Imagine having to wake up and not be sure if it's okay to be seen in pajamas. Should your child change right away? Where should they brush their teeth? What will be served for breakfast? Does it match their normal routine? Different family cultures can come on display in the morning to a child already in an unfamiliar environment. The emotional stress this can put onto your child combined with the physical stress of not receiving enough sleep serve as additional reminders that children are safest and healthiest when they are back in your home at night (and the subsequent next morning).

6. Sleeping provides a much-too-vulnerable environment

While not to play the part of a sensationalist, it should be called out, explicitly, that all people (children and adults) are at their most vulnerable when sleeping. While we do all we can to make sure our kids have good friends who come from safe homes, those are guarantees we can't make. We also have very little control over who else may be in a home our child's friend lives in. Opposite sex siblings, additional relatives or even other, unexpected friends could create unsafe environments for our kids. And while they are sleeping or not surrounded by people they know, our children may be less apt to ask for or receive help should a bad situation arise.

While we have calculated risks we take with our children (sending them on the school bus or off to a grandparent's house) it is well-within our best interests to minimize opportunities to jeopardize their safety and sleepovers, to me, fall in the category of unnecessary risks.

7. Special circumstances do arise

Of course, a world in which your child exclusively sleeps at your home with only your family is a world that lacks reality. Special circumstances may come up where it makes sense for your child to stay elsewhere or for you to host a child's friend. In those situations, child protection and safety should be at the forefront of planning. Where will be people sleep? Who else will be allowed in the home? Will you have the ability to communicate with your child at all times? How will you make sure there is no lack of supervision?

After everything is considered, remember, it is up to you to decide what is best for your children. While they'll certainly have pressure from friends to have sleepovers and you may feel similar pressure from those in your circle, you will never be faulted for keeping a child safe.

To make saying no to sleepover requests easier, it may be good to consider sleepover alternatives.  Perhaps you become the host of movie and game nights? Or set up special "late-overs." It's up to you, but remember, you won't regret creating a safe environment for you kids and in the future, they'll thank you as well.

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You'll never see it coming. And when you do, it's often too late.

Diabetes is one of those silent killers. It's a disease that creeps up on you and turns your entire life upside down in the blink of an eye. It's commonly misdiagnosed and by the time it is diagnosed for what it is, the damage has been done. If caught too late, diabetes can kill you or someone you love.

Know the signs. Learn them so you can recognize symptoms when you see them, because a doctor might not catch it in time.

1. Extreme thirst and hunger

If your mouth is always dry and you're drinking a ton of water, but can't seem to get any relief, it's a sure sign of diabetes. More than that, if you're eating and eating, but are always hungry (and not gaining weight), take notice. With diabetes, the body is hungrier because your insulin levels are unbalanced - insulin helps bring glucose from food into the cells and convert them to energy,according to WebMd.

You're thirstier because diabetes raises blood sugar levels and prevents your kidneys from taking in glucose, which tells your body to make more urine (which takes fluid).

These unbalanced levels makes you hungrier and thirstier and yet, no matter how much you eat or drink, it makes little to no difference.

2. Frequent urination

Because your body is lacking insulin, the body seeks out other ways to break down the sugar. So it uses the fluids from cells in the bloodstream and sends them to the kidneys, making them overwork and forcing you to urinate more and more. If you're taking far more bathroom breaks than usual, go to the doctor and test your blood sugar.

3. Major weight loss

A common sign of diabetes, especially in Type 1, is extreme weight loss. When the pancreas stops working completely, the body finds other ways to break down the blood glucose. One of those ways is breaking down the fat in your body, causing you to lose a lot of weight (as outlined by Medical News Today).

4. Numbness in feet and legs

The higher your blood sugar gets, the greater effects it has on your organs. It can cause nerve damage to your system, thus resulting in numbness in your feet and your legs. If you're finding that you can't feel your toes, feet or legs, it's high time to visit a doctor.

Most importantly, ask for a blood test. If the doctor doesn't do a blood test, the symptoms can be easily mistaken for something else, causing a misdiagnosis and you won't get the proper treatment you need.

5. Nausea and vomiting

Without insulin, your body sucks the fat away, which causes an increase in ketones in your body. Having a high number of ketones can make you sick to your stomach, causing nausea and sometimes vomiting. If ketones get to an extreme level, you can go into diabetic ketoacidosis or DKA. DKA is a coma in which your body's organs begin to fail and shut down. Without immediate treatment and insulin, you can get brain damage or worse, die.

Many young children have passed away after misdiagnosis and gone into DKA and never made it out. Those who did, were never the same again.

Recognize the signs, and always ask for a blood test when you visit the doctor. Taking a simple blood test and knowing the signs of diabetes can save your life, or make you somebody's hero.

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How do you know if it's real? How do you know the things you're feeling for him are real or if he feels the same way? So many questions swirl around in your head. Some questions you don't know or won't know the answer to.

Not until you ask him.

It's intimidating. But if you really want to know the truth, you have to ask him. Don't know where to start? Here are 20 questions to ask that will tell you if it's really love between you.

1. What's the most important thing you learned from your mother?

2. What quality do you admire most in someone else?

3. What does commitment look like to you?

4. How do you solve problems?

5. Have you ever been in love?

6. What would your friends say is your best quality?

7. What is your greatest accomplishment?

8. How would you define a long-term relationship?

9. What are you looking for an in a relationship right now?

10. What does family mean to you?

11. What is something you hope to learn in the next year?

12. How is your relationship with your mother?

13. What makes you the happiest?

14. What do you want most out of life?

15. Who is your best friend, and how did you become best friends?

16. What's the greatest thing that ever happened to you?

17. What do you value in a relationship?

18. What is your greatest goal?

19. What's the most important thing you've learned from a past relationship?

20. What's a time you were really proud of yourself?

There's a right time and place to ask these questions. The opportunity to ask the questions will present itself. You'll want to make sure the two of you are in a place and setting where you can speak freely and not be overheard by many people. Make sure it's at a time when he doesn't feel pressured to answer them and has time to think about the question before he answers you.

Asking these questions can open up the possibility for something more in your relationship. After all, the goal is to find out if what he feels for you is true. He's probably after the same thing, so don't freak out if he asks you the same questions.

All in all, you may be surprised by the answers he gives you. If the answers don't go the way you thought they would, don't be discouraged. Once you know his true feelings, you can take them and run with them. Use them to move on, until one day you find the one person who will give you the answers you want.

But if he gives any inclination about being totally head over heels for you, don't be afraid to ask this bonus question:

If I were to kiss you right now, what would you say?

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Kissing is something we all do. We kiss hello and goodbye, we kiss our parents and our siblings in familial love, and then one day we get our first real kiss ... and seem to prefer romantic kisses with your special someone over any sort of kiss just to say hello.

However, in a mere 10 second kiss, as much as 80 million bacteria can be transferred between two people. That's an extremely short time to exchange a disease - especially since you're probably kissing more than once, right?

I'm sure the last thing you want to think about when you're kissing someone is the amount of bacteria you're exchanging, let alone the diseases you might be sharing, but it's important to know. The next time you lean in for a kiss, maybe consider these five terrible diseases you can get from a smooch.

1. Mononucleosis

Known to most as just "mono" this is a disease that is extremely contagious. It's prevalent among people ages 15-30 and is spread mainly through saliva (easily caught by kissing or sharing a drink or food with someone with mono).

Symptoms include extreme fatigue, fever, head and body aches and other flu-like symptoms. Immediately see your doctor if you're experiencing any of those symptoms so you can receive proper treatment.

2. Herpes simplex

This is a virus that you've most likely had before - If you've had a cold sore, you've had herpes simplex. Sores on your face around the mouth or a tingling, itching or burning sensation, are all symptoms of herpes simplex. The sores can appear anywhere on the skin, but are most common around the mouth area. These sores can last for weeks.

3. Cytomegalovirus

Also known as CMV, you can get this silent virus without showing any symptoms. Worst of all, once you have it, you have it for life. It's contracted through exchange of saliva (and other bodily fluids). If you're healthy, you mostly don't need treatment. But if you experience symptoms of fatigue, a sore throat and have swollen glands, your immune system may be weakened and visiting a doctor to attain necessary medication will help you to get better.

4. Streptococcus

You know this one as "strep throat." Strep and mono are easily mistaken for each other because the symptoms are similar, which includes a sore throat, fever, swollen lymph nodes and sometimes even a rash. It's spread through saliva but is easily contagious through coughing or sneezing. Strep is more common in children, but is not uncommon for adults to catch, especially because it's so easily spread. If you experience any of the above symptoms, see a doctor to receive prescribed medication.

5. Gingivitis

Gingivitis is an extremely common form of gum disease brought on by poor oral hygiene but can also be transmitted through the exchanging of bacteria. Gingivitis can cause sores on your gums, making them bleed (it also makes kissing no fun at all). The best way to prevent getting gingivitis is to keep good care of your mouth! Brush your teeth, use mouthwash and floss often. However you can be at greater risk if you have poor nutrition, are pregnant, experiencing hormonal changes or are of an older age.

Still want to kiss someone after all of that? Despite all the risks and diseases you could get from kissing, it's still pretty fun and really exciting. Just make sure you're making the necessary precautions so you can prevent these five terrible diseases.

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You've had many friends in your life but you've never had a friend like your husband. If you're going to spend the rest of your life with each other you better be friends- best friends. Is your husband your best friend? Here are 23 signs to help you find out:

1. You tell each other everything

The first person you go to with good news is your husband and vice versa. You love sharing the stories of your day and telling each other everything.

2. He's the only one you trust

There's a small circle of people you can trust, but above everyone else, your husband is the one person you can trust the most. You know your secret is safe with him.

3. You love to tease each other

Fun little tricks and pranks help keep your relationship alive. The one with the funniest trick wins.

4. He is your defender

Your husband will always be on your side. He will defend you at all costs and protect you with his life.

5. He loves you for both the good and bad days

He loves seeing you happy and will love you through both the good and the bad days. The not so good days are when he's there for you, helping to lift you up and get you back on your feet.

6. You love each other for your flaws

Nobody is perfect and the beauty of your friendship is you can love each other for your flaws. Your flaws don't matter in his eyes and his flaws don't matter in your own eyes.

7. You each give the best advice

You're constantly learning and leaning on each other. When it comes to advice, he's the first one you go to because he always has the best advice to give.

8. You listen to each other when you need to be heard

Communication is key in any relationship. When your husband is your best friend, he's there to listen when you need to be heard. You do the same for him whenever he needs to talk.

9. He won't judge you for the little things

No matter your quirks or personality, he loves you just the way you are. He won't judge you for any bit of you.

10. You do everything together

No matter where you go, you always want him to be there right alongside you. You love to share in the adventures of life together.

11. He knows you better than anyone else

Your relationship is a two way street. You know him better than you know anyone else and vice versa because there are no secrets between you two.

12. He makes you happy

You're happiest when you're with your husband. He brings out the best in you and you in him.

13. He keeps you guessing

No relationship is without its surprises, and he loves to keep you guessing at what he'll do next. It's his way of showing his affection for you and proving you're best friends for life.

14. He does things for you in a cute, goofy sort of way

The best part about him is his goofiness. Sometimes he does silly things, but it only makes you love him more. You feel lucky to have him as your best friend forever.

15. He makes you laugh harder than anyone else can

No matter what mood you're in, he knows how to make you laugh. You two have the same sense of humor, and he would do anything to cheer you up.

16. He knows just what you need

On the rough days when you don't know what to do, he knows exactly what to do to make you feel better.

17. The worst days are when you're apart

It feels like the world stops when you're apart. You count down the minutes until you can see your best friend again.

18. You love each other for your strange obsessions

Everybody is obsessed with something. You love each other no matter how weird your obsessions are. Over time, you grow to love your husband's obsessions just as much as he does.

19. The best road trip you'll take is with your husband

There's no one else you'd take a trip with because your husband is the only one you want to share adventures with. Plus, he's the only one who won't judge you for belting out Disney songs at the top of your lungs while traveling to your destination.

20. You are his whole world

Nothing matters more to him than you. You are his whole life and the center of his universe and vice versa.

21. PDA is a plus

Public display of affection is just a plus to having your husband for a best friend. You love to love each other.

22. You two have the best inside jokes

You two don't even have to say anything- you just give each other "the look" and burst out laughing.

23. Life just wouldn't be right without him

Now that you know him, a life without your husband just wouldn't be right. He's the only one you can call your own and your only true best friend. You are each other's best friend for life.

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You've been together a while now and it already feels different from past relationships. There's something different ... something better about the time you're with him. It's the butterflies you get in your stomach every time you see him, how he treats you better than anyone else, and how after all the time he still manages to surprise you.

If you feel like you're in the best relationship of your life, chances are, you are. But if you still need convincing, here's five signs it's true.

1. You're comfortable together

There's that old saying, "Home is where the heart is." It couldn't be more true when you're together. You know you've reached the peak of comfort when you can come home and relax with your man without worrying about the world. Home is anywhere you're with him. And there isn't anywhere else you'd rather be.

2. You can have open conversations

At this point, there's very little you don't know about each other. You can have conversations with each other about everything. But the more open your conversations are, the more you learn about each other and the more you fall in love. You practically know the inner-workings of his mind, and probably are the only person in the world who knows him as well as you do. And that makes you feel like the most special girl in the world.

3. It's easier to be yourself

There's nothing you need to hide from him. He doesn't judge you for your little quirks (in fact he loves you all the more for them). He loves everything about you, even the things you don't like much about yourself. But that what makes loving him great is the fact that you can be yourself whenever you're with him and he can be himself with you. You fit together perfectly and your love only grows stronger because of it.

4. You lean on and support each other

Things get tough sometimes. When the unexpected happens and your love for each other is tested, rather than pushing each other away, you pull each other closer. There's no one you'd rather have by your side to help fight your battles than him. He lifts you up, helps you to see the positive in life and you do the same for him. Together, you know you can accomplish and get through the very worst parts of your life. Once you know that, you know you can conquer all of life together.

5. You accept each other's imperfections

No matter how much you'd like to think you're perfect, you're not. And neither is he. Knowing that each person has a weakness (including the love of your life) is the first step to accepting each other fully. If you can love someone for his imperfections and he can love you for yours, there's practically nothing stopping you from making a future with him.

If you can say yes to these five signs, you're probably in the best relationship of your life. Make this one last because it sounds like you've hit the jackpot when it comes to relationships.

The post Is this the best relationship of your life? 5 signs it is appeared first on FamilyToday.

Discovering your true identity can feel impossible. Maybe you're like Simba from Disney's "The Lion King" ... running from your true identity or confused about who you really are.

How do you know who you are? How do you find out?

For Simba, it took one look at his reflection to come to an understanding. For us, it may take more than a good, hard look in the mirror. It takes internal reflection and a willingness to follow these 5 steps to truly come to know who you are.

1. Reflect on the kind of child you were

Before you really understood right from wrong, you were a child full of innocence. Go back to that stage. Look through old photo albums or home videos and reflect on who you were when you were young. Life was so much simpler then - as a child, you're most likely to be your true self because there's no reason for you to hide it.

As you've grown up and faced all sorts of challenges and disappointments, you lose touch of the child you used to be. Walt Disney put it best when he said, "That's the trouble with the world. Too many people grow up." Though that child in you is long gone, you can still learn from your inner child's innocence. Reflecting on that simplicity can help you recognize what made you happiest and help you implement those things in your life, starting now.

2. Make a list of your core values and principles

You know what you like and dislike, and have developed your own opinions about life and the rest of the world. If you want to know more about who you are, sit down and start writing down your core principles and values. Write down what defines you - things that make up who you are. Write about what you believe in, the things you know for sure to be true, and the rules you live by.

Once you've made your list, read through it. You'll be surprised by the things you write down. Now that they're all together in one place, you can have a deeper understanding of your morals and ideals and know exactly what it means to be you.

3. Consider the past opportunities you have had

Think back on all of the opportunities you have had throughout your life. If it helps, make a list of those that have left the greatest impact on you. When you have a good idea of what those opportunities were, ask yourself this question: What made those opportunities possible? Break it down into if/then statements. If you hadn't done [blank] then the opportunity wouldn't have happened. Take note of the choices you've made that have brought you here.

Realize that those things fell into place to get you where you are today. If choices that have made you happy in the past aren't a part of your life now, start them up again.

4. Put together a vision board

Sometimes, the best way to understand your true identity is to think about your future. If you're a creative person, put together a vision board. Think about all the things you want out of your life. Now, narrow it down to the next 5 to 10 years and lay it all your goals out on poster.

If you're not a visual person, simply make a list of the things you want out of your life in the next few years. When you're finished making the list and/or vision board, put it someplace where you will see it on a daily basis. This way you can remember the things you want out of life and do what's necessary to make it possible.

5. Ask yourself this question

Who would you be if you couldn't fail? The answer to this question is eye-opening. Without any roadblocks, challenges, or failure, what kind of person would you be? The answer is only something you will know, and will help you recognize what you want most in the world. Additionally, you'll recognize how past failures and trials have molded you into the person you are now.

Once you've made it through all these steps, you will have a better understanding of your identity. More than that, you'll finally have an answer to the question a monkey once asked of a lion: "Who are you?"

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The single life. The best worst days of your life. Being single has its ups and downs - you can do basically whatever you want and go anywhere you want in life, but at the same time, your friends are getting married and having babies and you're ... not.

While everyone else falls in love around you, you're left wondering: What am I doing wrong? If you're doing any of these seven things, the answer is pretty straightforward.

1. Playing too hard to get

Everyone puts up walls. Love has the power and ability to break down defenses and conquer everything you've ever known. When things go sour in a relationship, those walls get a bit thicker. Eventually that wooden fence around your heart becomes a steel wall smothered in concrete, wrapped in barbed wire and booby-trapped, with an armed guard patrolling 24/7.

But if you want to fall in love, don't make it impossible for someone to win you over.

2. Waiting for someone who doesn't exist

If you're waiting for Mr. Perfect, I hate to break it to you, but he doesn't exist (even Superman has his kryptonite). The man of your dreams is simply that: a dream. Instead of waiting for the perfect man, look for the guys who are flawed and worthy of your love.

3. Maintaining low self-esteem

Unfortunately, too many women feel like they need to change in order for men to fall in love with them.

If you believe you need to change yourself in order to fall in love - you are dead wrong.

Love comes in all shapes and sizes. If you are convinced that you aren't good enough for someone to fall in love with you, you're selling yourself short. True love means he'll love you for exactly who you are.

4. Avoiding social situations

It's all too easy to come home, curl up on the couch with your cat and watch chick-flicks rather than spending time with friends. No matter how much you like to joke that you're dating Netflix, the real reason you're still single is because you're not meeting new people.

Some nights with Netflix are just fine, but spending an evening out means you might bump into the love of your life. But even if you don't, you'll be getting out and having fun - enjoying the time you have to be single.

5. Focusing too much on your career

Throwing yourself into your work can be good ... and bad. It's true you need to make money to live and be successful, but a 50+ hour work week means you only have time to work, eat and sleep. If your career is keeping you from doing things that you love, cut back on your hours. Strive to keep a better balance between work and play so you can actually do the things you love (and possibly meet new people).

6. Lying to yourself about your own happiness

Don't tell yourself you will only be happy when you have a boyfriend, because you are totally wrong. Happiness can be found with your friends, your family, your hobbies and passions, not just love. Being single doesn't prevent you from being happy. You can be just as happy as your married friends when you're out doing things that you love to do. When love does come along, of course you'll be happy, but that doesn't mean you can't be happy now.

7. Being afraid of the future

You don't want to admit it, but perhaps you're harboring fear of what a relationship might mean. Falling in love means commitment, intimacy, child-rearing, and a lot of growing up. Dating means losing some independence and freedom - maybe you're not ready to give that up. If you're holding onto the single life, you're denying yourself of the excitement a relationship can bring. Don't sell yourself short.

Being single is great, but so is falling in love. Even though it's intimidating, don't let fear hold you back from experiencing life to the fullest. If you want to update your relationship status from "single" to "in a relationship", make the change and stop doing these seven things.

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We all want the best for our daughters. When they're born, we envision a whole life for them- dance lessons, education, driving, dating... Those early years of your daughter's life, she depends solely on us, her parents, and it's up to us to teach her and help her grow into the beautiful young woman you know she'll be.

It all starts with the little things. Whether you start teaching her in infancy or toddler age, these five scientifically proven methods will help you raise an intellectual daughter.

1. Read with her

Books are the greatest teaching tools in the world. When you read aloud with your daughter, her literacy skills will improve dramatically. Most importantly, it will help to build her confidence, recognition of stories and take them to worlds they've never been before. If anything, reading with her will be moments she will cherish forever.

2. Hug her

In a recent study done by Nationwide Children's Hospital found that cuddling and hugging your children from infancy and on greatly improves their brain development. Namely, the portion of the brain relative to touch. It helps them learn positive brain responses to experiencing affection. Even more than that, hugging your daughter can help counteract the negative experiences in her life, which is something we all need for the rest of our lives, not just as a baby. But it's definitely important to do with your daughter when she is an infant.

3. Let her play and have fun

Imagination is perhaps one of the most important parts of childhood. And though imagination has nothing to do with math and science, it allows the creative, right-side portion of the brain to grow. Letting your daughter play with her toys and friends allows her the freedom to enjoy her childhood. She can make things up, have an imaginary friend, and believe it all to be totally real for as long as she's little. Those moments where she's able to be herself allow her to really grow and become an intellectual woman.

4. Have a healthy diet

Healthy habits start with a little bit of effort. She's always going to want to eat that extra cookie after dinner and you'll probably give it to her. But instituting healthy habits at least 90% of the time is imperative to teaching your daughter how to eat healthy. It can dramatically affect the rest of her life. Eating healthy foods help build up calcium in the bones, omega 3s, and the rest of her immune system. Starting at an early age will develop healthy habits in her life that she'll carry with her for the rest of it.

5. Be an example

You are her mother. She looks up to you and learns from you. Crazy enough, she's watching you all the time, even when you think she isn't. She loves you and learns from you in everything that you do. As her mother, you must raise her by example. Be the woman you want her to be and she'll follow your lead. More than that, be there for her when she needs you. She'll always appreciate your advice, even when she doesn't really want it.

Your daughter is perhaps the most important person in your life. The very least you could do for her is to try and raise her to be a good, smart girl. It can start young, but really it's never too late to start raising an intellectual daughter.

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There is no denying that confidence is an attractive quality. Women like confident men and men like confident women. For some reason, however, we as women struggle to find our own confidence. We have a selfish tendency to look to others and compare their strengths to our own weaknesses.

That's the last thing we should be doing. As women, we should recognize our strengths and use them to build up our self-confidence, rather than compare ourselves one with another. After all, a confident woman is an attractive woman.

There are many ways to achieve confidence, but all stem from these six rules:

1. Have a "glass half-full" mentality

Being optimistic isn't always easy - that's why you start with the little things. When you have a pessimistic thought, look on the bright side. The more you start looking for the positive things in life, the brighter your mood will become. You'll feel lighter and happy because you won't be carrying the weight of unnecessary worry and fear. Optimism and confidence go hand in hand.

2. Stand by your principles

There is nothing more confident than standing up for what you believe in. If you believe in something, stand firm in it. Don't turn your back. A confident woman will not lower her standards for anyone - a worthy man will find that to be an attractive quality.

Standing up for your beliefs goes hand in hand with keeping promises and not judging or belittling someone else. Do your best to be kind and love everyone you meet and see your confidence soar.

3. Start small and work your way up

Do you tend to have lofty goals? (Don't we all?) The key to achieving those lofty goals is by starting small and breaking up your big goals into a series of little accomplishments. With each goal you achieve, you're one step closer to accomplishing the goals you really want. As you work your way up, your confidence will grow stronger and so will your attractiveness to others.

4. Get organized

The key here is finding that balance in your life allows you to fulfill the things you most want to do. Do whatever you can to organize your life (whether it's cleaning your room, your workspace, streamlining your morning routine, altering your social media habits, or other things) so they stop distracting you from the person you want to become. Cutting out the negative, disorganized parts of your routine will only help you to feel more in control of your life and your own self-confidence.

5. Dress for success

Nothing expresses your confidence more than wearing something you love and know you look good in. Rather than chilling in your sweats all day, find an outfit that you love and wear it proudly. It's OK to put in a little extra time in the morning to make yourself look good if it makes you feel good.

6. Learn who you are

Knowing who you are is a constant learning process. As time passes and trials happen, you learn lots of new things about yourself. Don't let these opportunities to get to know yourself better pass you by; the more you learn about yourself, the more you come to understand who you are and who you want to become. That confidence translates into attractiveness.

If you know who you are and what you want, the happier you'll be in life.

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