I look at my amazing daughter and cannot believe that she is in her final school year. How did that happen? I know that every parent says this but just when you get used to this parenting thing it feels like it will change forever. She’s almost an adult and that’s wonderful yet scary.
So here are some life lessons for my almost adult daughter.
The Good
- You can do whatever you want with your life. Opportunities are there for you. Walk towards them and take whichever path you choose even if it is a different one to your friends. You make your own choices but just remember your mum’s words of wisdom whispering in your ear from time to time.
- You are amazing. I mean that. I purposely don’t write beautiful as there is more to you than beauty. You are clever, savvy, funny, great fun to be with, calm, know your own mind and beautiful. Your Dad and I love all of you and more. Remember this when other people are not kind to you. You are worthy.
- You have a warm heart so open it and give yourself to someone you love. Love is the most important thing and one day, you will know when your partner comes along. Don’t let them go thinking there is someone better. There may or may not be but all that matters is that you are happy at that moment.
- You will never have as much time as right now. Enjoy your own company and that of your friends to do fun stuff.
The Bad
- Life chances are there for you to grab but they will not fall in your lap. You will not land a job paying you £30,000 straight out of university or school. You must continue to work hard for everything you want in life. What you want is there but may take small steps….just take one at a time.
- Boys can be horrid. They can treat you badly but remember that you are a strong and independent woman who does not need their drama. You are not responsible for other people’s crap. Don’t try to change someone who doesn’t want to be changed.
- Juggling motherhood and work is a challenge. I’m not going to lie. Delay motherhood if possible until you are in a position where you have a choice.
The Ugly
- Childbirth is bloody painful but is the most rewarding thing ever. Just don’t enter into pregnancy until you have lived a little first and don’t listen to Nannie; she will put you off for life.
- Having that last drink at that Club in Ibiza sounds like fun but you will regret it in the morning and perhaps even the morning after that. Have a water instead and walk home with friends (I’m sure you will not do this so my advice….take a paracetamol, eat a fry up and go back to bed).
- Respect your body. You only have one. So no cliff jumping or swimming with sharks in Australia. There will also be a time when your body doesn’t appreciate you eating trash (about aged 25 btw).
- Use sunscreen and you will thank me when you are 40.
Good luck…and remember I will always be your Mummy. x
PS I have never, ever done any of these things in the Ugly section apart from the birth part, obviously……..
Lovely words and wisdom were written in your post, respectfully loved this post👌
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Thanks Hussain.
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My pleasure😉
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Can’t imagine having a daughter who is nearly an adult. Seems so far off but sure it’ll pass in the blink of an eye. You’ve given some great advice, and it’s clear you respect her enough to make her own choices which is lovely to see 🙂
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Just beautiful…💚
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Thank you. X
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Everyone does say that time flies when you’re raising kids. These are great lessons! I totally second that advice to take care of your body. Being rough on it seems like no big thing at the time, but boy, do we pay for it later!
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I know, right! She doesn’t believe me when I say to watch the junk food….but then what teenagers do?
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I believe it … heck, my 4yo always wants junk food, too! It’s a constant battle, but I know that I have to set her up now with healthy food habits so it’s second nature later on!
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Lovely post and good advice. One of the most rewarding thing as a parent is to see them grow up into wonderful, responsible, caring, compassionate people.
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You are so right Norah. I know you are an educator Norah. Do you have your own children?
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My children are adults now. Son has two children of his own. I am very fortunate to have two gorgeous young children to play with. 🙂
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Ahhh lovely 😍
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Some word of wisdom and experience are written this post. We all want our children to grow up to be successful adults in professional and personal life, we get surfeit of suggestions but this kind of advice is hard to get. You have put it ingeniously and have drafted your advise ever so subtly to convey what is right and wrong for her rather than handing out a stern list of dos and don’ts which probably she would have found repulsive.
Probably there is one thing that I want to add is at the risk of being labelled a misogynist is things will not always be favorable so you might have to try and adjust a little to the circumstances.
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No, I agree with your advice, Siddhartha. Being able to adjust is very important. Thank you for your thoughts. 😃
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I have tried to comment on your lovely blog but can’t find the comments section…..also advice….it would be great to learn more about you in your about me section. X
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These are some of the links to my posts which you might find interesting.
https://www.obsoletereality.com/obsolete-reality/
https://www.obsoletereality.com/o-my-god-no-boss/
https://www.obsoletereality.com/strange-case-of-missing-indian-women/
There seems to be some technical issue in about me section. It is not displaying what I have written in the page. I will try to correct that. ( I am working with an Oil major in India, I am more of a writer than a blogger and an avid cricket lover like all Indians and Australians.) Please follow the blog if you like it.
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That was a fabulous post, Sophie. Loved each piece of advise that you hand out to your lovely girl. xx
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Thank you!!😍
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With 5 teenage boys I disagree that they are horrid, but do see where you are coming from! #TweensTeensBeyond
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Haha! 5 wow…hats off to you. I have one son but have got 4 brothers of my own so…yeah they are pretty horrid (apart from my son of Course!!). Thanks for popping back. X
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Excellent advice but I’d just add one thing – don’t accept the glass ceiling. Older daughter (quite high up at her place of work) has been lecturing the younger (just moving to her second job) on it this week, and apparently men get paid more because they ask for a fortune and haggle down, whereas women ask for an amount they think is reasonable and the company haggles that down lower! #tweensteensbeyond
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Yes! Too true. Thank you Mary. X
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I think my daughter should read this in a couple of years! You’ve covered all the important points I think #TeensTweensBeyond
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Thanks….I’m sad that I am at that stage tbh honest!
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Lovely words. I smiled at the ‘nannie’ comment and more so at the Ibiza one (I’ve just come back!!). Oh that extra drink and late nights. Wonderful at the time, not so good the next day and the day after. And then you come home and go down with the lurgy. Or maybe that’s just when you’re almost 50! May your lovely daughter go far x Thanks for sharing with #tweensteensbeyond
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I have the lurgy too although I can’t say I blame Ibiza…. lol. We were chatting about going to Ibiza next summer…. for the kids of course…😳🤔😎
She’s a great kid. I’m bursting with pride. She’s far more sensible than I ever was…. I think teens are tbh… now there’s a blog post! Thanks for commenting. Xx
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Definitely recommend it, its beautiful. And of course she’s a lovely kid, she’s yours – right?!
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Oh Sophie it’s so different with girls isn’t it? I worry so much more about mine going off than I did with my son. He has just been back for a weekend from Uni and looking at them over Sunday lunch today I was wondering how he was at her age and just couldn’t remember. He is fine and fabulous and she seems so far from that. You are at the precipice of a big change and it will be fantastic and scary in equal measure but to be honest I am dreading this moment with my daughter! I do have 4 years to prepare so it will be interesting to see the transformation because it does happen in the blink of an eye. #TweensTeensBeyond
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It does seem to be about to change Jo….I’m not sure either of us are ready tbh! I’m certainly not.
Glad to hear your son is settling in ok. I’m not sure what you think having one of each but as toddlers, it was my son who worried me more but with teens, its definitely my daughter!
Thanks for the comment Jo. xx
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Such a beautiful post my lovely! Absolutely delighted that you listed all the wonderful characteristics that your daughter has and then added that she is beautiful. I think I shall print this out and pin it up in my kitchen. Thanks so much for sharing with us at #TweensTeensBeyond
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Bless you Sharon and thank you. x
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Yes swimming with sharks and drinking in Ibiza aren’t my scene either. #Blogcrush
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Your wisdom, your thoughtfulness and your approach are just exquisite! I really love every word! ❤ #blogcrush #
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Thank you Lisa. X
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This is a great post! It’s these lessons that we hope and pray our children will remember when they grow up – we hope that these are the values that we have instilled in them and that they cling to when things get tough. It sounds like your daughter is well on her way #blogcrush
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Hopefully, yes, Lucy. Thanks for the lovely comment. X
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beautiful words of wisdom…m goin to sharr dem wid my daughter too…she s just 7 ryt nw so will wait…loved it
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Ah thank you. X
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That was really great! My oldest is turning 16 next month and I am starting to think on many things.
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It’s such a rollercoaster isn’t it?! Good luck. X
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My eldest daughter ignored every bit of advice we gave her and is only now coming around to the fact, she’s 21. Although this was a bad experience for us it’s indirectly benefited my youngest who has seen what bad choices and trying to take shortcuts can do and is willing to put in the hard work especially now she’s in her last year of school.
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Interestingly it’s my younger I have to watch!!
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