The “Tween” age, between little girl and teenager, is such a strange time for parenting. They’re still so immature in so many ways, but they want more independence. Their body is starting to change and mature, but they’re still a little girl. You want to guide them into their young womanhood, but you want to do it gently in a way that feels safe and age-appropriate. I have SO many thoughts about this time, and I’m thinking through ways to share them, but mostly I think about how little information or help there is out there for parents navigating this in-between period of life with our kids!

One little milestone I’ve been through with Marlowe recently is developing a self-care routine to set her up for success and good habits. I watched my own Mother performing her skincare routine as a little girl, and it opened my eyes to not only caring for your skin (and hair) as you approach womanhood but also to developing a self-care routine that is a little moment in your day for only you. It’s a moment to physically care for yourself and internalize that you are worth that time and energy.

I had started noticing Marlowe’s skin changing a bit, and breaking out here and there from new oils and dirt that wasn’t getting washed away. I realized that her simple “splash water on it” habit wasn’t going to cut it anymore, and I thought it was the perfect timing to introduce a super simple skincare routine for her and to set up her bathroom for her “big girl” years.

Now, let me be very clear: I do not in any way cosign the trend of children using adult, expensive products, and collecting skincare. I believe that a good routine for younger girls can be done simply, without having to set unrealistic expectations and spoiling them with products that are completely unnecessary for their young skin biomes. It inspired me to put together this blog post to share Marlowe’s little skincare routine that I put together for her! It’s been working so well to keep her skin glowing and healthy during these summer months– when sweat, sunscreen, sand, and dirt are part of her everyday active-kid lifestyle.

I’m also sharing some products in general that I have in her bathroom and shower, and that I feel comfortable with her using. I hope it serves as a good jumping-off point if you’re trying to figure out where to start. Overall, I love that she is getting used to prioritizing moments for herself at the beginning and end of the day and that she has a little set-up in her bathroom that makes her feel special. I truly believe that deep self-confidence and high self-esteem is built not only by what we tell our kids but by how we encourage them to show up for themselves in big and small ways.

Photographs by Julia Dags | Copyright © 2024 Happily Eva After, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

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