A Letter to My Girls …

Today, I thought I would share a letter I wrote to my beautiful daughters a couple of years ago …

 

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

To my Darling Girls,

 

The road you travel through your teenage years can be full of potholes and obstacles, destined to trip you as you walk this difficult path.  But with a positive attitude, a big smile and a guiding hand along the way, your journey need not be so tough.  Reach out and take our hands and we’ll tread this path together.  You don’t ever need to walk alone and, remember, we will always be there to catch you should you stumble and fall.  So here are some words of wisdom that may come in handy along the way:

 

  • Always be thoughtful, kind and considerate.  Treat others as you would like to be treated.
  • Don’t ever lose your wonderful sense of humour … laugh with all your heart … loud, joyous and often!
  • Hold your head high and live your life with honesty and integrity (and then you’ll never need to watch your back).
  • Your family is your rock … your safe haven in a storm and so very important.  Don’t ever lose sight of that.
  • Don’t be afraid to ask “silly” questions because that is how you learn.  The only “silly” question is the one that is never asked.
  • Always believe in yourself … if you can dream it or imagine it, you can do it.  Spread your wings and fly!
  • Don’t act with impulse.  Listen to the advice and wisdom of those with experience, then trust your instinct … your inner voice will always guide you.
  • Explore and nurture your creativity because you all have been blessed with gifts.
  • Try, try and try again and never ever give up.  Don’t let the fear of making a mistake or failing hold you back.  You won’t know what you can achieve unless you have a go.
  • Always retain your warmth, compassion and sensitivity … these things are the essence of who you are.
  • Choose a career that you enjoy and are passionate about and success will be reward.
  • Value your friends.  Give 100% of yourself and your loyalty to those relationships and what you give you shall receive ten fold in return.
  • Love your sisters with all your heart and soul because they will walk through life by your side.
  • Don’t ever forget what you mean to us and how much we love and adore you.
  • And finally … BE HAPPY!

All our love always,

Mum and Dad xxx

 So tell me, what advice would you most like to pass on to your kids?

Comments

  1. What beautiful girls you have and what wonderful words to speak into their lives. Such wisdom. I have one daughter and she certainly wasn’t easy during her teenage years. She’s 19 now and I feel like we’ve come through the storm. We get on well these days but a few years ago I wouldn’t have believed I’d ever see the day. Good luck! xx

    • Sandie says:

      Thanks Charlie, those teen years certainly give new meaning to the word “adventure”! It can be tough but the storm does eventually pass. x

  2. What a lovely letter, Sandie – and what beautiful girls 🙂 I have to say I am petrified of the tween and teen years heading our way. Our daughter has such a big personality and Hubby and I know we have a lot in store. But, just as you showed in your letter, we know that the most important things we can do is to be present, and stand by our values and hope that it all sinks in. As hotly Spiced said, the storm does pass, so we just to have bunker down and do our best with as much understanding as possible. Thanks for the lovely post. Katie xo

    • Sandie says:

      Thanks Katie and welcome! I found when the two older girls were going through those years it was important to be firm and consistent even when that made me hugely unpopular … and believe me there were plenty of times when that happened. I also learned, however, to pick my battles and not “sweat the small stuff”. The storm eventually passes!

  3. What a beautiful letter, full of wise advice :-). I love letter writing and a few months back I wrote one on my blog to my 17 year old self (very cathartic, I highly recommend it!) and also to my daughter when she becomes a mother. If you are interested here are the links:

    http://www.allaboutmama.com/2014/01/13/letter-to-my-seventeen-year-old-self/

    http://www.allaboutmama.com/2013/12/30/letter-to-my-daughter-when-she-becomes-a-mother-part-1/

    • Hi Lynda, I’ve just read your letters which are full of beautiful sentiments and advice. I think I will write a letter to myself as a teen … I’m sure it will be interesting!

  4. What a beautiful letter, your girls are beautiful!! Makes me want to do the same thing for my 4 girls.

    • Find some time, Mandy, put pen to paper and do it! You will be amazed at how many wonderful things you can find to say to your kids. This was one of the first letters I wrote to my girls, but I enjoyed writing it so much and I find I write to them all the time now.

  5. This is such a beautiful letter and beautiful words for your girls Sandie. Those girls will go far with you leading them xx

    • Sandie says:

      Thank you Sonia, that’s so sweet. They may all be different but they are each so special. I’m so proud of them all!

  6. Beautiful words and fabulous advice.. They look very happy and confident girls.

    • Hi Alicia, lovely of you to visit. They are usually very happy kids and this photo was taken on holidays so it was an especially happy time!

  7. Beautiful letter xx

  8. This is a beautiful letter with admirable advice. xS

    • Thank you Sarah … those “teenage years” had plenty of challenges but so far we’ve survived!