Raising a daughter has been an incredible blessing, but sometimes it feels like I’m raising a miniature version of myself. She knows what she likes, and she knows what she wants. She’s not afraid to stick up for herself, or for other people who might need it. She’s brave, outspoken, confident, and she loves to laugh.

There are some parts about raising daughters that are more universal, though. Like the fact that they really, really love to talk. And you understand the fresh hell of having glitter EVERYWHERE. Also, you probably have more than one hair tie on your floor as you read this.

I’m not saying that raising girls is easier or more difficult than raising boys; it’s just different. Luckily, the hilarious parents of Twitter also understand the struggle that is raising girls.

For instance, we want to raise confident women but also survive the process:

1day I'll be thankful my daughter is an independent iron willed human w/an unrelenting strong voice,but not today, not in this grocery store

— Sweatpants Cher (@House_Feminist) August 31, 2015

And we’d like to maybe get a word in edgewise:

They say women speak 20,000 words a day but I have a 5 yo daughter who gets that shit done by breakfast.

— Joelle Wisler (@jowisler) October 4, 2016

…eventually:

Dad, can I tell a story?
Sure.
*47 plotless minutes later*
Okay, wrap it up.
*15 minutes later*
Okay, honey.
*24 minutes later*
Okaaay, swe

— Rich Cromwell (@rcromwell4) January 20, 2016

…someday:

You know that thing where your daughter has been talking for so long that your eyeballs actually start to buzz & then you realize that she's only 3 years old & you're not really sure how you're ever going to make it until she becomes a teenager & stops talking to you altogether?

— Lauren Mullen (@DraggingFeeties) January 17, 2018

We love how much they’re just like us:

5yo and her friend just ended an argument by deciding they would "have a piece of cheese and calm down"

So, yeah, she's mine.

— Mom Psychologist (@mompsychologist) June 14, 2016

And we hate how much they’re just like us:

Toddler: *crying bc it isn't her turn with the princess crown*

Me: Sweetie, you need to share

Husband: Just give her the crown, you're 35

— Lurkin' Mom (@LurkAtHomeMom) February 5, 2017

We want to make sure they’re prepared with appropriate life skills:

I'm preparing my daughter for puberty by teaching her to eat frosting out of the can when she feels sad.

— MyMomologue (@MyMomologue) February 16, 2017

And teach them about balance:

I want my daughter to be kind but I also want her to know that she can throat-punch someone if she needs to.

— Scary Mommy (@ScaryMommy) February 28, 2018

We want to make the most of all our bonding moments together:

My daughter and I just had a really sweet bonding moment. She asked to help me cook dinner, so I held her up and let her press the microwave buttons.

— SpacedMom (@copymama) April 19, 2018

And play together as much as we can:

My daughter is playing "you can't find me, Mommy"… I'm playing "I'm not trying, Suckaaaa".

— Karri-Leigh (@karri_leigh) April 27, 2013

Girls are incredibly smart:

My daughter actually submitted this feedback at school. Not sure if I should ground her or buy her ice cream… pic.twitter.com/4v8Gjb9riv

— Mason Cross (@MasonCrossBooks) May 25, 2017

And they’re advanced:

Can 5-year-olds be teenagers because mine's running around screaming wildly and crying for no reason so it feels like maybe they can?

— Mommy Owl (@Lhlodder) September 4, 2017

Very advanced:

5-year-old daughter: Girls get tired earlier than boys.

Me: Why?

5-year-old: We use our brains all day.

— James Breakwell (@XplodingUnicorn) February 2, 2016

Daughters like to be the boss:

I cut the crust off my daughter's PB&J and I swear to god I heard her whisper that I'm her bitch now.

— The Dad (@thedad) December 29, 2015

They know what they like:

Before having a kid the most important thing to ask yourself is “Am I ready to watch the exact same cartoon on repeat for the next 4 years?”

— Røb Fee (@robfee) March 3, 2015

Sometimes it’s hard for them to let go of that stuff that they like:

Please don't throw away this teeny tiny bit of garbage! It's so special.

-every little girl ever

— Karen Johnson (@21stcenturysahm) April 7, 2017

They’re also very brave:

My 2yo said she is a grown up. I told her she isn't, that she is a toddler. She replied, "No, I'm a grown up. I'm going to touch knives."

— jess (@jessokfine) June 29, 2015

And it’s true that sometimes they can be a little emotional:

In case you're thinking about having a kid, my daughter just threw a tantrum because I wouldn't let her watch me poop.

— Julius Sharpe (@juliussharpe) December 31, 2012

But who isn’t?:

Friend: Just be glad that you have a boy. Girls come with so much drama

Me, thinking about how there's no real female comparison to Hitler or Stalin: Yeah, drama is the worst

— Abam (@AdamBroud) April 13, 2018

And they start early:

My child could be teething or she could be transforming into a werewolf and preparing to ransack a village. I'm really not sure.

— Mommy Cusses (@mommy_cusses) March 26, 2018

But it’s all totally worth it:

I just spent an hour making a nice meal for my family, and two kids cried because it wasn't chicken nuggets.

Parenthood is so rewarding.

— Scary Mommy (@ScaryMommy) November 12, 2017

Raising daughters is a unique and amazing experience. I have learned so much about life from my little girl. And I try to encourage her in every way (yes, even with the talking.) Because the world will try to tell her that she’s too bossy or that she laughs too loud. But my hope for her is that she always knows her worth, and continues to fight for what’s right.