As little girls, we grow up playing house – imagining who we will marry, how many kids will we have, our house with the little white picket fence, and the cute little dog in the window.
As we get older it becomes less about the material things and more about "What kind of a mom am I going to be?"
"What life lessons will I hand down to my children?"
"What will be my legacy as a mother?"
I'm nowhere near ready for children, I've got a lot of growing up to do as it is, but that doesn't stop me from thinking about the what-ifs. I have a great mom (Happy Mother's day!) and I find myself hoping and wishing I become half the mother she is.
In a world that is so wrapped up in breaking down gender stereotypes and defeating social traditions, what will become of families?
What will become of strong women who create strong children who grow up and run our future?
More and more kids are grown up in broken homes or in daycares where they can be neglected and harmed. How do we expect our daughters to grow into strong and independent women when we aren't there to guide them?
We like to think that we know everything as teenagers, but we need our parents – daughters need their mothers.
As Mother's Day approaches and passes, I find myself wondering what I would say to my daughter – what hands-on advice could I give my daughter while I'm still able to understand what it's like to be young?
My Darling Daughter,
I think that at first, you will be a little embarrassed by this.
"MOM, not everyone needs to know what you're feeling" – and darling that is where you are wrong.
You should never be afraid to speak your mind; never apologize for the way you feel and never feel guilty for who you are. You are fearfully and wonderfully made and I never want you to think differently.
Next, just know that boys are never worth it (coming from your boy-crazy, hopeless romantic of a mother). The right boy will never make you doubt your worth or make you jump through hoops to be with him.
I know that you'll eventually have to learn this the hard way, get your heart broken a time or two, but just know that I'll be right there with open arms, chocolate and an army of romantic comedy movies.
I never want you to struggle with anything.
You can always come to me about anything, I will lend an ear, give my advice and be there to support you – whether you take my advice or not (and honestly you won't more times than you will).
Making friends is so important; get yourself a close girlfriend and the two of you can do anything. It's important to have someone who is always there for you – through thick and thin. Even if it takes a few times to find her, hold out for your best friend.
Finally, don't give up, sweetheart.
Follow your dreams, become who you want to be, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. They push you down? You get right back up and show them what you are made of.
You come from a long line of women who don't take no as an answer and I don't doubt that you have that same fire in your veins.
Never forget that I love you, and you'll always be my little girl.
Love,
Mom.
