Life Lessons I Need to Teach My Daughters Before They Grow Up

Life Lessons I Need to Teach My Daughters

Watching my daughters walk hand in hand away from me always brings a multitude of thoughts to mind. How can I prepare the girls for the big scary world? What are the lessons I need to teach my daughters? Will they always rely on me, or each other, or grow up and away on their own? A must read all for Moms (and Dads) of young girls, these are the important life lessons I need to teach my daughters before they grow up.

Don’t worry about being pretty.

In life, it is more important to be smart, adventurous, kind, tenacious, and funny than it is to be pretty. Pretty actually comes from the inside, so if they focus on becoming a person others will want to be around, their incredibleness will radiate through in the form of beauty.

Stand up for yourself (and each other).

Don’t be wishy washy in life. If you feel one way (religiously, politically, romantically, etc.), don’t be afraid to let others know. Be confident in your beliefs. Be a leader. Be independent. Be strong enough to stand up for yourself. Oh and if your sister is struggling, stand up for her too.

Do more of what makes you happy.

If you want to wear a dress every day, go for it. If you want to build a fairy garden, have fun. As long as what you’re doing makes you happy (and isn’t something your Mom and Dad will frown about), then keep on doing it. My daughters should know one of the secrets of life is to focus on your own joys and pleasures instead of what makes your friends happy. I followed in my friends’ footsteps one too many times only to discover where they were headed wasn’t anything I ultimately enjoyed.

Laugh often

Bill Cosby said, “You can turn painful situations around through laughter.  If you can find humor in anything then you can survive it.”  Laughter is the most natural remedy for any of lifes’ hardships. When you laugh, you can’t help but feel good in your heart and soul. Don’t forget, laughter is contagious, so share it with others.

Work hard, but be patient.

No one ever told me how long it takes to be successful – it doesn’t just happen overnight. Whether you’re working towards an A in a class or striving to earn a raise at your job, you must be patient. Work hard my girls, but be patient for your earnings.

It’s OK to be afraid, that’s the definition of brave.

Being brave does not mean being completely fearless, it means finding the courage inside of you to do something that’s scary. I tell my daughters it’s okay to be afraid when you’re about to do something wonderful as its the fear that you ultimately crush in your actions. Overcoming fear is the most brave thing you can do.

Don’t wish your life away.

I remember vividly as a child thinking about my future as a grown up. Oh what I would give sometimes to go back to the days of naivety, innocence, and a carefree lack of responsibilities. I want my daughters to enjoy every day in its entirety – to never wish their life to go by more quickly than it already does. We only get one beautiful life on this Earth, so make it last as long as possible.

Annabelle’s Smocked Rosette Dress // Ailey’s Smocked Rosette Bubble

Thank you to Pleats and Stitches for sending my daughters the most beautiful, most adorable, most precious smocked dress and bubble I’ve ever seen. There’s something about little girls in white that’s remarkably innocent and I feel these outfits capture their current stage of life perfectly.