06/06/2023
My oldest daughter turned TWENTY on Saturday. On one hand, it’s gone by way too fast! On the other, it’s been such a joy to watch her become an adult.
As I think about the past 20 years, I decided to share twenty lessons I’ve learned along the way.
1. My kids’ accomplishments are theirs to own. I can help support, pay for and encourage - but at the end of the day, they are the ones doing the work.
2. My kids’ mistakes are theirs to own as well. I will show love, empathy and help them when they need it.
3. You’re kids may not act like it, but they care what you think.
4. Hard times will come but they don’t last. Things always get better.
5. My kids might be annoyed or mad at me but they never stop loving me.
6. I might be annoyed and mad at my kids at times but I love them no matter what.
7. Kids like being with their friends and sometimes their friends come first. But eventually they come back around and want to be with family.
8. How I respond to my kids behavior is much more important than what their behavior was.
9. I get to choose how I show up in my role as a mom.
10. I get to love my kids and see their goodness always.
11. Discipline means teaching not punishing.
12. Quality time spent with my kids is never wasted.
13. Be in the moment you’re in. Time goes way too fast to waste it on worry or regret.
14. Kids are doing the best they can with what they have.
15. Not knowing how everything will turn out is okay. It may be even better than you imagined.
16. Losing your cool and freaking out on your kids is normal and doesn’t make you a bad mom.
17. Apologizing isn’t a weakness.
18. Your life as a woman and role as a mother are two separate things.
19. You never have parenting figured out. There are always lessons to be learned.
20. Saying less and asking questions without judgment is the key to getting your kids to talk to you more.
Tell me, what would you add to this list?
