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An Open Letter to My Parents

You can wait for college and honestly, so can I.

Shippensburg University

1788

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I don't want to grow up either. I want to always be your little girl and I always want to have you take care of me. I wish I could stop time because I feel it too, I'm growing up too fast.

I don't want to buy my own groceries and take care of myself when I'm sick, but I also can't wait to grow up to fulfill my dreams and give you grandkids. I can say I'm so grateful for you a thousand times every second but that still wouldn't amount to love and support you've given me. You've done everything for my brother and I, even if you don't think we notice, we do.

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News

4 Tips to navigate politically polarizing conversations with your family over the holidays

Whether your holiday involves a Christmas tree, menorah, or Eid al-Fitr (or none of the above), chances are there's a big family get-together on the agenda at some point.

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4 Tips to navigate politically polarizing conversations with your family over the holidays

There will be delicious food, one too many slices of pumpkin pie, gift exchanges, and maybe some fun activities like card games and holiday movies. Everything is all fun and games -- until someone takes a hammer to the holiday chandelier with an off-hand, politically charged comment.

If your family suffers from a good old-fashioned case of political polarization, you should expect to find yourself in this uncomfortable situation every year. Sometimes the offender will dangle a controversial statement as bait to see who will bite and engage in a one-sided argument. Other times it's genuinely an innocent remark that ignites a fire under an unsuspecting family member at the kitchen table. Either way, it's often the holiday party's swan song, as heated debates, screaming matches, and slammed doors usually follow.

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holidays

Wellbeing

A Letter To The Person Who Doesn't See Potential In Me

I know at the end of the day I am strong, courageous, brave, smart, loving, trustworthy, and honest. I will never become who you have become, I am stronger.

Shippensburg University

141

A Letter To The Person Who Doesn't See Potential In Me

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No matter how hard I have tried to show you I can accomplish any task you set before me you find faults in what I am doing. You chose to critique my every move. You hardly ever give me a compliment for helping you or completing what you would like me to do. This has been extremely difficult. I try and try day in and day out to think of ways the please you. It is honestly the most exhausting thing I have been through in a while. I am unsure how much more effort I can give towards trying to figure out a way to make you happy.

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mental health

Dating

8 'Thank Yous' My Mom Deserves To Hear Every Single Day

Mom, you deserve so much more than a simple "thank you."

University of North Dakota

286

8 'Thank Yous' My Mom Deserves To Hear Every Single Day

Shaylie Woodford

Dear mom,

I could simply say 'thank you' but those two words are not enough for the millions of things that you've done for me. You deserve so much more than a simple 'thank you.' But, unfortunately, I can't afford for you to escape to Bermuda for a week, so I'll stick to these words of appreciation instead.

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relationships

Relationships

An Open Letter To My Big Brother

Everything you should know even if I don't always tell you.

Millennials of New Jersey

1213

Barbette Lovas

From the day I was born, you've been my built-in best friend, my protector, and also at times my number one enemy. But I will always love you because having you as a big brother is the best blessing I have in life.

When we were little I constantly remember being told, "You may think you hate each other now, but you'll be best friends one day." And I constantly remember thinking, "There's no way." Now looking back at it, I'm sorry for being your annoying little sister who ratted you out for every little thing you did and some things you didn't do. But even when I was a jerk to you, you'd always be the first one to have my back.

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Lifestyle

I Grew Up In A Close Family And I'm So Thankful I Did

A thank you to the people who always have been, and always will be there no matter how crazy life gets.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

211

I Grew Up In A Close Family And I'm So Thankful I Did

Renee Pabalate

When I say the word family, I'm hardly ever just talking about just my immediate family—meaning my parents, my brother, and now my sister-in-law. There is a whole network of extended family members that I love and care about just as much and consider just as close to me.

Having this kind of close relationship, not only with my immediate family but also my extended one has been the norm for me my entire life. Coming into college, however, I realized more than ever before that not everyone had such a close relationship with not just their extended family, but even with their immediate family. Having my eyes opened to the experiences and relationships that weren't part of what I grew up with has made me truly appreciate the close relationship I have with my family, both immediate and extended, and how it has influenced how I grew up, and how I view family when looking into the future.

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You can wait for college and honestly, so can I.

Whether your holiday involves a Christmas tree, menorah, or Eid al-Fitr (or none of the above), chances are there's a big family get-together on the agenda at some point.

Ease up on the alcohol

Have some transitional topics up your sleeve

Try to see the issue from their perspective

Fight back with genuine questions, not a war of words

Parting shot

I know at the end of the day I am strong, courageous, brave, smart, loving, trustworthy, and honest. I will never become who you have become, I am stronger.

Mom, you deserve so much more than a simple "thank you."

1. Thank you for your home cooked meals

2. Thank you for the endless hugs

3. Thank you for being a good role model

4. Thank you for your honesty

5. Thank you for paying my way through life

6. Thank you for supporting me

7. Thank you for pushing me to do more

8. Thank you for giving me brothers

Everything you should know even if I don't always tell you.

A thank you to the people who always have been, and always will be there no matter how crazy life gets.

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