The birth of my oldest daughter was a moment when a lot of prayers and wishes came true. I looked at her and instantly started making my list of things I wanted to teach her. It seemed endless. How to listen, how to love, forgive, and make all her dreams come true. I was excited, anxious and nervous all in one moment. Never in those first few moments of gazing into her eyes did I realize how much she would teach me. As her Mother, I’ve taught my daughter many things this past 10 years. Yet in being her Mother she has taught me so many things simply by being her.
10 Years old. Double Digits. Pre-Teen. Tween. Oh so many things I’m so not ready for. Yet, she seems to be as prepared as ever. To be honest she always seems ready for so much more than her years would give her credit for. From the first moment I saw her I felt she had this knowing about her. A wisdom of sorts – like an old soul.
The past 10 years seem like a brief moment in time. I still remember holding her in my arms, watching her take her first steps and hearing her contagious laughter as she discovered each new thing she could do on her own. She’s always been independent. Looking and searching for a way to do it ‘by herself‘ and most times doing just that. She would sit a think on things, have questions and answers you would never expect from a child her age. Just like an old soul…
True Happiness
I remember when she went through this phase of asking everyone if they were happy. It wasn’t a light hearted question. She was so intense and serious in her 2 year old little body. “Are you happy?” she would ask. It was amazing to see many adults stumped by this simple question from this teeny little girl. One friend was brought to tears as she tried to answer –was she happy. I learned that true happiness isn’t something that has an easy answer. Sometimes it takes a bit of searching but once you find it – you treasure it.
Go For The Hard Things
This little girl has always wanted to do the biggest, hardest and most daring things for her age. If you tell her she can’t she’ll always figure a way to prove she can and she will. Watching her make her dreams come true has taught me to try for the hard things in life and in your trying you can make them your reality.
I remember a few years ago she struggled with the courage to do the things she loved regardless of whether other people thought it was a girl thing. She grew from that and has since become a little girl confident in her likes and dislikes. I learned through her that doing the hard things is less about the getting it done and more about doing it for yourself.
Believe in Yourself
Have you ever heard yourself telling your child that maybe they shouldn’t or couldn’t do something. I have. I’m not always proud of those moments. The times when I let my fears become the rules for my children. Still with this little girl. It never seems to work. She believes in herself in spite of all my fears. Each time I think she isn’t ready for something – she proves me wrong through shear will power. I love it. She teaches me that if you believe it – it doesn’t really matter what anyone else says or thinks. You can do it!
Be Uniquely You
Like most Moms I bought up everything pink I could find when I realized I was having a girl. Yet in her typical style my daughter has defied the typical. She can’t stand pink. At all. She will frown upon it in every form. Her favorite colors are Neon Green and Purple and she’s good with that. For her being true to herself comes above everything else.
She’s uniquely her and totally okay with it. I love every time I hear her declare “I hate pink” because I know she doesn’t care if it isn’t the norm for most girls. She loves neon green, basketball, Star Wars and all things her. She’s who she is and that’s that. Watching her embrace who she is growing to be has taught me to do the same in my life. Something I probably should have known but somehow the lesson became that much clearer as I watch her conquer childhood in her own uniqueness with a strength I envy and hope to find within myself. She’s taught me to embrace what makes me different because it’s what will draw people to me the most.
Love Always
Create Your Own Joy
Live Every Moment
Put In The Effort
I’m A Good Mom
That’s right. I know I had my son but I still didn’t truly believe I was a good mom. I had my Grandmother when he was born and she helped me get through a lot. So somehow I didn’t give myself full credit for mothering him in the beginning. Having my daughter was all me. I was a mother all on my own and I did it! Every time she would come to me for comfort, protection, help – mothering. She taught me that I am a good mom. I could do this and she is living proof that I’m not screwing this mom thing up completely.
I’ve Got This
Parenthood. It isn’t always obvious when you’re doing it right but when you can look at your child begin to make choices, decisions and changes in their own lives and realize that the lessons you teach are actually having an impact. It’s a big deal. For me, seeing her develop into a pre-teen who has common sense, love for herself and others as well as confidence helps me know I’ve got this!
“Believe in yourself, your passions, and your dreams. Your voice is unique - build on that. Embrace what is different about you and make it your greatest asset!”
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14 thoughts on “10 Things My Daughter Taught Me In 10 Years”
What a great list. Its amazing what we can learn from our children 🙂
Thanks so much Michelle!! It is truly amazing!
These are some great lessons and she seems to be a very strong, young lady! Just like her mom!
Aww shucks!! Thank You!! 🙂
I am glad that you are able to learn these valuable lessons from your daughter
Thank you so much!
My oldest has also taught me ALOT of things and we didn’t have the best relationship for a while but we are actually getting closer and closer which makes me realize the many many things she has taught me! The only difference is she’s a almost 14 and you know how that goes!
I think it’s truly wonderful when relationships can be repaired and built upon. Lessons learned through difficulty can become the ones we value the most. Haha.. oh wow… yes 14, been there…barely made it through…LOL
Well written and heartfelt. I have always embraced my inner child but my daughter has such a Carpe Diem attitude that has taught me to get up early(I have never been an early riser,morning person) and really seize the day!
Thank you so much!! I used to think I did too but you’re right – just like your my daughter has shown me to embrace it even more!