To my beautiful, spirited, and soulful daughter,
I know I often forget it, and I think you do too. You’re only three. Three, which is basically as long as a slow blink. In the midst of the household chaos, our tight schedules, the meltdowns and the arguments about who is boss, it is easy for the days to pass by without recognizing how well you are managing in this big, scary world so far. You will be off to school in September, will learn how to zip your own coat up and how to read and write.
I love watching you grow into the kind, smart and beautiful woman you are meant to become. It’s also difficult to watch, because I know that I will not always be able to protect you. Someday it will be out of my hands. While life is full of such wonder and joy, life also has a nasty habit of throat punching you if you don’t pay attention.
All I can hope, as any mom can, is that I am able to instil in you the strong values, beliefs and morality needed so that you can learn to traverse this world relatively unscathed. As my first born child and only daughter, it is scary to think of letting go. You are only three, and already you are saying things like, “No Mama, I can do it myself”. Before you grow up before my eyes, I want you to know everything I have learned along the way on becoming a woman. A strong woman. Because that is what you are intended to be.
1. You Need To Put Yourself First
As a nurse, a daughter, a sister, a friend, a wife and a mommy of two, I know all about caring for others. I have chosen my career and life path because I love being able to make a positive difference in people’s lives. However, I can tell you from my own experience of having caregiver burnout, that before you go out and save the world, you will need to care for yourself first and foremost.
In addition, being the helper that you are, you will need to make a concerted effort to ensure that people do not take advantage of your good will. A relationship’s positivity should always travel both ways, and when it becomes one-sided you may need to say your farewells and move on. It’s not selfishness, but rather self-preservation. A fact of life. Do not let anyone discount how important you are.
2. Take the Time to Find Out Who You Are, Become Who You Want to Be, and Don’t Change
Before I figured out who I was, I tried to be everything to every one. It was not an enjoyable experience for anyone involved. Spending some time alone during your teenage years will save you a lot of time and heartache in adulthood. Try not to change who you are for your rocker boyfriend, your so-called best friend with shady morals, or to win a popularity contest. You are perfect just the way you are, and if you resolve to be yourself, “your people” will find you. Doing so will make you 1000 x happier than if you had pretended to be someone else in order to stay within a much desired clique.
3. Time Will Heal All Wounds, If You Let It
Throughout your life, you will endure a lot of heart break and misfortune. Everyone deals with negativity in their lives, but it is how we decide to let it effect us that really sets us apart. What seemed like a cataclysmic event as a child or as a teenager will become a vital life lesson later on, providing that you give yourself enough room to heal. Yes it hurts. Yes it’s not fair. Cry. Vent. Learn your lesson. Forgive yourself and others. Move on.
4. You Do Not Owe That Boy A Thing
I don’t care if he sends you flowers every day, writes you love notes at every recess or orchestrates a candle lit dinner in the park for two, you will never owe him anything but a simple “thank you”. No matter how nice he is to you, it is always your choice to give him your kiss, tick the “will you date me?” box, or to say the L word. If you give in to him, then you will feel powerless, insignificant, and you will not like the consequences.
It’s unfortunate that I have to discuss this at all, but such is the state of our current society. Always stand up for yourself because if you don’t, boys will think that they can take advantage of you and you will eventually begin thinking that they should. Your body, mind and soul are exactly that. Yours. Trust me, it will feel so much better when you give something to him because you genuinely silagra 25 mg want to, not out of guilt or necessity. There really are boys and men out there that will view you as an equal. Wait for one, appreciate him and keep him.
5. Love Is Not Something To Be Taken Lightly
Love is the strongest force on Earth, and we could do with a lot more of it. Sometimes it sweeps us right up into it’s gravitational pull and there is nothing we can do about it. I will never tell you that you are too young to be in love.
However, as difficult as it is to control yourself while in love, it is vital that you assess the situation on a regular basis. Are you respecting each other, or are you playing games? Do you both feel the same way? Are you being yourself? Are you a better person when you are with him/her? These are all important questions to ask yourself before you are swept off your feet, things blow up and people get hurt. Falling in love is great, but falling out of love is the absolute worst. If you’re the one that falls out of love first, please be kind. If you do #1 & #2, you will know when great love comes to knock you over. When it does, let it.
6. Never Let Someone Snuff Out Your Light
Sometimes people will be mean to you, and it will appear to be for no particular reason at all. They will be jealous of the way you light up a room. They won’t agree with your point of view. They just may decide that they don’t like who you are. There will be nothing you can do to make everybody happy, and trying to will just exhaust your flame. Find what makes you shine, hold it tight and do not let it go no matter what people say or do to tear you down.
7. You Really Can Accomplish Anything. IF You Have The Drive, Accountability and Patience
I have read that my current generation has been done a great disservice by being told that we could be anything as children. It has been suggested that the people of Generation Y have entitlement issues, resulting in disappointment and crushed dreams.
While this accusation may have some merit, I still believe that you can do anything you aspire to be if you work hard. Really hard.
Luck may always play a minor role, but you need to be driven when things get tough and you want to quit. You need to take accountability that you are the one in charge of your own life, the good, the bad and the ugly, and you need patience because things don’t always go as planned at first. Work hard, be a good person and you will eventually reap the benefits. If you pay now to benefit later, the meaning of your life will be at your choosing.
8. Appreciate the World Around You and All Living Things
You can tell a lot about a person in how they treat animals and people of lesser fortune. As a human being you should always try to be merciful and empathetic to all living things, and treat others as you would want to be treated, regardless of age, gender, sexual orientation, cultural practices or spiritual beliefs. Pretty simple, but easily forgotten when subjected to the mob mentality or if doing so will make your life significantly harder. In order to become a strong woman, you will need to protect the underdog and always think of how your actions will effect others. There is a strength in kindness that is unmatched.
9. If You Want to Look Pretty, Do it For Yourself
One of my proudest parenting moments to date is when you told me, “I don’t need that make up because I’m already pretty”. Yes you are. However, I will never tell you that make up is bad, because it’s not. You see me put a minimal amount on each day. All I ask is that if you wear make up, do your hair, and wear certain clothing, you do so because it makes you feel good about yourself, and not just to impress others. Women, more-so than men, are blessed with the ability to express themselves through physical appearances, so why not embrace it? If you feel comfortable with yourself inside and out, it will show through in strength.
I know that you are already strong. I also know that I probably needed to tell you all of this more than you needed to hear it. After all, I learned the importance of these life lessons from you, not the other way around. Having an insightful daughter watching my every move has empowered me to become a strong woman who has taken her life into her own hands. Thank you, brave little one. You are destined for greatness.
s
http://www.theanxiousdragonsblog.com/2016/02/01/a-bit-of-everything-linky-week/
What a beautiful letter! I absolutely loved it. I am taking some notes from your letter now!
I’m so glad you liked it. Thanks for coming by and leaving a comment 🙂
This is amazing writing! If every young girl could have a letter like this from her mother to look at for guidance they would be so much more prepared for the future. Life is not easy at times and having the right start with people who love and support you is so important. Your daughter has a very intelligent and loving mother, that’s wonderful!
Thank you! <3
I love this so much! Girls need to hear this and be empowered to grow up strong and in control.
I completely agree, Julie. A lot can change just by teaching and empowering the next generation.
Are you going to do a boy list too? Curious if they would be that different?
Hi! I’m not really sure as I don’t really plan out my posts (like I probably should). I think it would be a little different though… Your comment has inspired me to think on it and eventually write one! 😀
Loved this Tori <3 What a special gift for your daughter to have this written out. The tears started for me at "learn to zip your own coat"
Aw, thanks Erin. Glad you enjoyed it. I don’t think she will be able to sit through it right now but I will definitely keep it and read it to her before puberty strikes! 😀
This had me tearing up. I can totally relate to this post, and if you don’t mind I might have to borrow this to give to my daughter. These are all things I want her to know. I think it’s so beautiful how you wrote this letter to your daughter. You are one wise mother and she is so lucky to have you to teach her these things.
You can borrow this for sure!! Thanks so much for the support. I really appreciate it!
Beautifully written and some great points.
Thank you! <3
A beautiful post and one I found myself nodding along to. It takes courage to be yourself and for Mama’s to encourage individuality in their daughters. Mine did and I’m forever grateful to her for that. Thanks for linking up to #PoCoLo
Definitely. Thank you so much for the support. I love how welcoming the blogging world is!
Message:
Hi,
We manage the Affiliate Program for several websites that we think may be a great fit for you and your audience. These sites include http://www.ergobaby.com, http://www.orbitbaby.com and http://www.skyniceland.com. Please let us know if you would have some time to chat, or shoot us an email and we can discuss further.
Thank you in advance
Marc
Hi Marc, thank you for your comment. I have responded to your query via email. Have a great day!
Agree on all points. Kids learn from watching their parents above anything else so it’s important to apply these to yourself too. I particularly like 9. as I wear make up and it’s not always been for myself. However the other day I rushed out without any on, I just forgot! And you know what? The world didn’t fall to pieces.
I definitely agree. My daughter watches absolutely everything I do, even mimics my vocabulary. These are life lessons all women should consider, no matter the age.
Absolutely loved this, wish someone had told me this when I was a little girl! thanks for sharing #abitofeverything
Thanks for reading! xx
I cannot even begin to express how much I love this post! Everything in it is so true and these are all lessons I hope to instill in my daughter as well. Being strong is the most important trait, and this lays out what that means beautifully.
Thank you for sharing with us at #MommyMeetupMondays!
Thanks so much for reading, I really appreciate the support!
Simply beautiful. I am also a mother of one daughter and found this very poignant. #abitofeverything
Thanks Nicky I appreciate the feedback 😀
I have 2 daughters and I love all of this advice. I wrote a piece to my daughters as well http://domesticatedmomster.com/2015/02/21/survival-tools-for-my-daughters/ it has a bit more of a tongue in cheek route. As a mother who was once a daughter (well I am still a daughter) but a young daughter…the world scares me for my daughters. I only hope that I can teach them to be strong and independent and to never let anyone tell them what they can or can’t do (except for me of course lol). Thanks for linking with #momsterslink. It is live now if you care to come link up again…would love to have you. ?Trista
Thanks Trista! Just knowing what we have done as teenagers I just cringe at the thought of what my kids will get up to! It is hard letting go for sure.
Beautiful letter and advice. Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
Thanks!!
This is such a lovely post. Brilliant advice. Thank you for linking up with #justanotherlinky
Thanks!!
These are fantastic words of wisdom for any child, but especially so for a daughter. Learning to understand yourself, love yourself and respect yourself are vital lessons and hopefully you are setting her off in the right path.
Thanks for sharing with us, Tracey xx#abitofeverything
Thanks Tracey. I really believe that finding yourself no matter what age is the most important thing you can do in your life. After that, everything seems to fall into place. xx