Each time your little girl learns a new skill, record her success. You want to take pictures of her and forward them to the rest of the family. You may want to videotape her, fill in facts and dates in her baby book, e-mail about her progress to family and friends — even plaster the door of your refrigerator with photos of her beaming after her potty training was achieved, and her big bed switch was completed. Yay! All these milestones in her life are crucial, and she couldn't have done them without her parents and caregivers being so supportive, so loving but firm, and so steadfast in their high expectations.

Record your successes as parents as well in a journal or blog. You know that all the successes your little girl is experiencing are yours as well. But yours go far beyond that. It is one thing to be a woman or a man — another thing to be a mother or father. You have made the profound change. So, celebrate in ways that reflect your great accomplishment. You have raised your baby girl into a smart little daughter who is well on her way to becoming a confident, courageous girl with fine character. That is your special reward. So, revel in the joy.