A young girl's transformation from shy and uncertain to confident and empowered has melted hearts online.
In a clip posted by her mom Marie Lahai, 35, her daughter Linah is eager for her hair to grow as long as her sister's. As she does her child's hair in the mirror, Lahai begins what she has dubbed Mirror Moments With Mommy—positive affirmations to cement her beauty, strength and intelligence.
"In the first clip, my daughter is younger, and I'm lovingly reassuring her about the beauty of her Afro-kinky hair, planting seeds of self-confidence and acceptance," Lahai told Newsweek.
Two years on, Linah stands taller in the mirror and beams with self-assurance and confidence.
"This time, we're reflecting on her hair together, and she exudes a radiant confidence, fully embracing how beautiful she looks. It's a heartwarming reminder of how intentional affirmations and nurturing conversations from us as parents can shape the way our children see themselves," Lahai said.
In the next clip, Linah doesn't need any reminding of what she is. Prompted by her mom, the girl tells herself she is beautiful, confident and amazing, but best of all, she finally has the long hair she has always dreamed of.
The mom-of-four (@rie_defined on Instagram) said that Mirror Moments with Mommy started so she could intentionally pour into her daughters emotionally and spiritually. Now it is almost a daily habit, giving them space to express themselves.
"As a mother, it's important to me that my girls grow up with a strong sense of self-worth and confidence. By creating these moments, I hope to not only nurture them but inspire other families to prioritize intentional, loving connections with their children," Lahai said.
Her clip has been viewed over 6.5 million times, and Lahai wrote in the caption that this particular video changed her family's lives forever.
"Never in a million years did I imagine that something as natural and habitual as affirming my girls would have such a profound impact, opening doors to opportunities, friendships, and experiences we never dreamed of," Lahai wrote.
The post received over 1 million likes and more than 4,000 comments from other Instagram users who were inspired by Lahai's affirmation process.
"This is beautiful. It took me 28 years to find some ounce of confidence and it's still not all there so I love that you're starting early," one user wrote.
"This girl is gorgeous and I hope she carries that knowledge into her teen years," commented another.
"It's amazing to see how something so personal to our family resonates so well with others and sparks conversations about the importance of affirmations and connection in parenting," Lahai said. "It's truly a blessing to be able to share our journey and motivate others in this way."
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