As children grow, we shower them with affection, cuddles, and, if fortunate, nourishment that aids their early development. Before they reach their first birthdays, we’re often making excuses for why we can’t devour the mushy food they so eagerly share, while also retrieving their tiny spoons from the floor. As they navigate school, friendships, and boundaries, we aspire to impart valuable lessons gleaned from our own life experiences—both the successes and the blunders. While this list is not exhaustive, here are 16 key insights I wish for my daughters to ponder as they embark on their tween years:
- You don’t have to rely on pre-packaged food from drive-thrus. With just a few ingredients and a little motivation, you can create delicious meals from scratch. For instance, making whipped cream requires only three ingredients and a few minutes of effort, and it’s incredibly rewarding—especially when paired with warm homemade chocolate chip pancakes. (That said, some days a quick box of mac and cheese with frozen peas is perfectly acceptable.)
- Those exuberant individuals in advertisements are being compensated to appear that happy. If you don’t need the product they’re promoting—which you likely don’t—there’s no obligation to desire or purchase it.
- Whether I’m listening to music while showering after a workout or focused on a thrilling soccer match, if you need to share something important, I will prioritize your voice above everything else. However, if you wake me up just to say you’re hungry, we might have a problem.
- A stable job can help pay your bills, but if it doesn’t bring you joy, you have every right to pursue a different path that aligns with your passion.
- While following your heart might lead you astray at times, the journey is often worth it.
- You will encounter unkind individuals who may try to harm you, but remember they are exceptions, not the norm. Avoid forming judgments based on the actions of a few.
- Despite what the media often portrays, the goodness in the world continually surpasses the bad.
- Strive to never intentionally complicate someone else’s life. This means treating service staff kindly, leaving hotel rooms tidy, and returning your shopping cart to its proper place. Seriously, don’t be lazy—take the time to put your cart away.
- Small gestures and moments carry more significance than we may realize, and they are vital for the world to function.
- A love for reading will serve you well, but it’s also perfectly fine to enjoy film adaptations of your favorite stories, even if the original book is superior.
- College will always be an option, but your youth is a fleeting opportunity. Please avoid cliché adventures to “find yourself”—I’ve invested too much in your upbringing for that.
- You don’t need to consume alcohol to be perceived as cool, relaxed, or interesting. Your personality is inherently wonderful.
- If others are spending time gossiping about you, it only shows that you possess a level of intrigue they lack.
- You can be as passionate about sports as any boy, and you don’t need to wear a pink version of your favorite team’s apparel to prove it.
- Interests like sports, science, math, and even comic books are not exclusive to boys, despite how society sometimes portrays them.
- If you are truly passionate about something, don’t hesitate to assert your place at the table.
While these insights are but a fraction of the wisdom I wish to share as my daughters grow into young women, the world they face is complex. It has never been a more challenging yet promising time to be a girl in America. With increasing opportunities, we still need to address the societal issues they will encounter. Remember the importance of focusing on the good, as encapsulated in point 7.
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Summary
As my daughters enter their tweens, I hope to instill valuable insights that will guide them through life’s complexities, encouraging them to embrace their individuality, pursue their passions, and recognize the goodness in the world.
Keyphrase: insights for daughters entering tweens
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