As my daughter turns three I wanted to create a list of lessons I don’t want to forget to teach her. Probably every mom across the globe keeps a similar list. Whether it’s just in your head, a note in your phone or written into a journal, we all find ourselves stopping throughout the day realizing that there is some very tiny yet highly important life truth we hope our daughters understand. Because as mothers we know that the culmination of these tiny lessons converge to help form our little girls into the intelligent, kind, and happy young women we hope them to be.
30 Lessons for my Daughter on her 3rd Birthday
- Always send hand written thank you notes.
- Never tweeze the top of your eye brows.
- Hold off on mascara for as long as possible, the more you use it the more you will need it.
- Learn how to jump start a car and drive a stick shift.
- Never say “I’m sorry. But…”. Just say “I’m sorry” and then stop.
- Be a part of something bigger than yourself.
- Being stylish and having this seasons clothes have nothing to do with each other.
- Good taste can’t be bought.
- Coloring your hair is a slippery slope. One you start, it is nearly impossible to stop.
- What other people think of you is none of your business.
- Learn the art of listening.
- Always have money of your own.
- Win with grace and lose with dignity.
- Idle gossip is for idle minds.
- Never judge people because of their clothes.
- Learn to enjoy your own company.
- Never lose yourself in a relationship.
- The world can be as big or as small as you let it be.
- No matter your age, never be afraid to go out without make-up on.
- No is a much more powerful word than yes. Don’t be afraid to use it.
- There is a type of intelligence that transcends a grade point average.
- But intelligence takes you nowhere without hard work.
- Know the difference between money and wealth.
- The key to your happiness lies within, everything outside of that are just influencers.
- Know when it’s the time in your life to choose a salad over a burger.
- The world can change you, only if you let it.
- Acknowledge your talents and learn to humbly accept praises for them.
- The opposite of love is not hate, it’s indifference.
- Even the darkest moments will pass.
- I will always be with you.
The Bottom Line
Our children are already on a trajectory to become who they were meant to be. Although we cannot stop it, we can influence their journey. As mothers it is our privilege to impart knowledge onto them that will forever leave them with a piece of us long after we are gone.
What life lessons do you hope to teach your daughter? Share your comments below.
2 Comments
Wonderful thoughts and I especially liked the “know the difference between money and wealth”. In this day and age of materialism this realisation could bring a lot of happiness to so many <3
I’m already teaching my 19 month old to live with an attitude of gratitude and always be kind.