What do I want to teach my child?
Isn’t it wild that we don’t ask each other this question? I’ve been asked if I’ll be a “bow mom” (and put the giant bows on my daughter) or if I’ll let my kids have a tablet. I’ve been asked if I plan to breastfeed or if I plan to give them Red 40 dye. But I have not yet been asked what I really want to instill in my child. This little baby, turned toddler, turned kid, teenager, young adult, and full-blown complex adult human being. That’s my job. My husband’s job. To make sure she has the tools and knowledge to be a happy, well-rounded, good person.
And while I absolutely know that the logical next answer to this question is “reading,” “manners,” “being kind to animals,” etc., etc., I’m not talking about that either. Of course I want her to know those things as well. But more than that, I want my child to know…
Kindness, respect, trustworthiness, those are all things that are standard for a relationship. Those things do not make a partner or close friend exceptional. They make it worth finding out if they’re exceptional. Connections come from shared values, sense of humor, life direction, adventure, spirit. Know your worth.
Doing it because everyone is doing it and not doing it because everyone is doing it are no different.
The answer to every health question in the world is “balance.” And the only way to find balance is to listen to your body. Get to know your body. Move it when it needs to move. Rest when its tired or sick. Eat nutrient dense foods. Eat soul foods. Add spinach to your smoothie and buy your favorite candy on that road trip. The whole point of a body is to live. So use it to live fully.
People are just people. The principal and Taylor Swift both get diarrhea sometimes.
You were not born to be pretty. If you want to be pretty, if you like to be pretty, go right ahead with your bad self. I’ll be sure to remind you of your beauty when I see your eyes light up in a certain outfit or you absolutely love your new haircut. But contrary to popular belief, all the stardust and cells that came together miraculously in my body to form you with the genetics of decades and decades of your family before you did not come together for “pretty.” I hope that feels like freedom.
You can tell me ANYTHING. And especially anything that someone else tells you to keep secret from me. If you’re nervous, you can write it down.
Do something creative that’s just for you. And that doesn’t mean you have to attend Paint and Sip night. You can collect rocks or do whatever creative stuff that chemists do. Or learn the harmonica. Idk, man, just do something for you.
There’s no linear route to happiness, but if there were, it would be gratitude.
Tell people you love them. And tell them what you love about them. Often.
You’re allowed to teach me things, too. I’m listening.
