Right know my daughter is sitting at her little dining table devouring her “future lice” (that’s future life for grownups). She stops for a minute and get up to dance, when Bundu Buddies start singing her favourite song.
There’s pink future life in her hair, her moves are not well coordinated and her cute little legs still have a roll or two.
She’s two. And she’s not worried about her dance moves, counting kilojoules, being bullied or the cool kid.
Right now she lives in the moment and she’s happy.
I wish I could hit the pause button. Keep her little a little longer, or maybe forever? But unfortunately she will grow up. And unfortunately life will get tough.
So I made a list to prepare her for life: This won’t soften the blows, but hopefully it will help her with the journey.
1. Stop comparing yourself
There will always be someone smarter, taller, and prettier than you. That’s just life.
Stop wasting precious energy on comparisons. There’s someone out there who wants to be just like you.
2. Indulge!
Eat the cake, order chips instead of salad and enjoy every sip of your cappuccino (When you suffer from extreme nausea during your pregnancy, you will long for those indulgent days).
3. Do not worry about your thighs
Right now you can count to 10. Don’t waste precious time, counting kilojoules.
Eat well, exercise and be happy.
4. Do count your blessings
I’m still learning to do that and I’m 34. Always striving to be better, achieve more.
Stop wasting time, always searching for the next big thing.
5. Girl, put that record on!
Music has the power to change your mood, give you courage and make you happy.
Do not underestimate to power of a good song, ever.
6. Hit the gym
Yes, a fit body is great, but what happens to your mind when you exercise is pretty damn awesome.
7. Put “that” outfit on
When things get tough, the tough goes shopping. Just joking, but no really: When things get hard, stay away from the yoga pants.
Put on your favourite outfit, the one that makes you feel like Gigi Hadid.
8. Marry a kind man
I do not want you to think about boys – ever. But if you do someday want to get married look for kindness.
9. Half-hearted is not an option
If there’s one thing I’m proud of it’s my ability to get consumed by whatever I do. Whether it’s writing, eating or watching television – I’m doing it wholeheartedly.
Furthermore please say goodbye to Mrs. Self Doubt: Chase your biggest dreams, even if they scare you.
You determine your own path.
Be whatever you choose to be and make it happen.
10. Let it all out
You are pretty much doing it right now – going from extreme happiness to extreme sadness in a matter of minutes.
Do not lose the ability to show your emotions. If you are sad, cry! If you are happy, laugh out loud.
Please do not become one of those statue-like, botox ladies, who smile all the time.
It’s okay to have a bad day…
11. Stop worrying
Okay, I know this one is in all the self-help books, but it so true. Stop sweating the small stuff.
There’s some things you can change and then there’s things you cannot change and no amount of worrying will change that.
12. Put on red lipstick
This is a family tradition and I expect you to honour it. 🙂
13. Travel
Yes, it’s expensive, but what happens to your soul is something money can’t buy.
You realise that you’re actually a tiny part in a huge world.
Standing at the edge of Mount Kenya is a moment that changed my life. I still think back to that exact moment, where I realised how insignificant we actually are.
14. Be kind (to everyone)
Whether it’s the school principal, petrol attendant or your waiter. I’m telling you it makes the daily grind a lot more fun.
While we’re at it: Be gentle on yourself. We tend to be so damn hard on every aspect of who we are. Accept all the compliments coming your way and do not fret about someone saying bad things about you.
15. Love your parents
This one you probably won’t understand, until you become a Mom yourself.
But the love I have for you is bigger than anything I have ever experienced. The saying goes: I love you to the moon and back, but if someone has to measure my love for you, they would have to orbit the moon forever.
So please love me back, even one day, when I’m irritating you with old-fashioned advice.
Because I love you unconditionally.
Right now you probably won’t understand any of this.
But life will not always be unicorns and rainbows.
Hopefully one day, when you are trying to raise your own little woman, some of these things might make sense and this list might make your life a little bit sweeter (Almost as sweet as pink Future Life).
Love
Mommy
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There’s so much I want to teach my 2 daughters but one of the main ones would be to stop worrying because I know how much pressure and stress that puts on me and I definitely would not want them to live they lives feeling a whole lot of weight on they shoulders.
Thanks for entering our fabulous giveaway Marshni. Yes, that’s a big one for me too. Always worrying and stressed out. It’s strange that we do not wish this for our children, but struggle to stop doing it ourselves! Have a lovely day and stop worrying! 🙂
Be kind to everyone! Its very rewarding!
Love your parents. Because God will bless my babygirl abundantly through her life if she is always good and kind to her parents and appreciate us even when we make mistakes
I know right Mama? It feels like Motherhood consists of a lot of giving and in return all we want is love! And it’s so important for our kids to know that we are just human and will make mistakes. Thanks for entering our fabulous giveaway and reading our blog. Have a lovely day.
Something i hope that my kids always will remember is to count their blessings.
Hi Taryn, yes, it truly is in the little things! 🙂 Thanks for entering our fabulous giveaway!
All of these are fantastic but I would highlight 13.Travel and 14.Be kind (to everyone).Awesome blog post! Thank you for this!
Yay so glad you enjoyed the post Nonceba! I really wish I could teach her everything on the list, but I must agree with you on 13 and 14. Travel is like food for the soul and if we are kind to EVERYONE then life just gets a little bit sweeter. Thank you for entering and have a fabulous day.
Want to teach my child to live life to the fullest.
That is sooo important Thea! Each moment is precious! Thank you for entering our fabulous giveaway and reading our blog! Have a lovely Spring Day!
Be kind ND love your parents, help those that are in need
Such simple things, but so important! Thank you for entering our fabulous giveaway Mohamed and for reading our blog. Have a lovely day!
Ah these are all so beautiful ❤ to choose one I would say be kind to everyone. I usually get the ‘become tougher’etc etc but I wouldn’t change how or who I am for the world. Everyome deserves kindness in their life and even a stranger can change your day. Kindess is beautiful. Definitely be kind to yourself too, it’s easy to be your greatest judge but you are all you have utterly and completely in the end❤ love is kind…
Hi Vicki, wow that’s beautifully said. I love it! No, I’m also not a fan of the toughen up approach. I feel the world could do with more love! 🙂 Kindness is like you said beautiful. I’m still struggling to not be so hard on myself, but getting there! Thank you for entering our fabulous giveaway! Good luck!
I would love to teach almost everything you’ve written but the best thing which i feel is to not compare oneself with others because everyone is unique and have their own strengths and weaknesses.
Thank you Mansha! It’s such simple guidelines but makes a huge difference in our daily lives. But comparison is such a negative an useless waste of energy because like you said we are all unique! We must embrace our uniqueness! Thanks for entering our Giveaway and have a fabulous day!
Enjoy exercise – healthy body = a healthy mind.
Never underestimate a good workout session! 🙂 Agreed! Thanks for entering Romy and have a lovely Spring day.
I would love it if I could achieve one thing with my twin girls and that’s too teach them to be kind.
A act of kindness can go such a long way, bcos no body knows better then a tired mother about a act of kindness. A kind smile or a wow you doing a great job ??Can change a person.
It’s not that we seek approval from anyone but a kind word is always appreciated?.
I would love for my girls to grow up knowing that being kind should be a daily thing not only bcos it suits them today but it should be where they feel always that they should be kind to the next bcos you don’t know much that person needs it!
I would also love for them to learn self love, especially with life evolving at the speed it is with everyone trying “to keep up with everyone” trying “to keep the look/or be a certain weight” I would love for them to know they are forever perfect in their own way and God created them that way, they are a perfect image of what he created. ❤️
Aaaw Tinita, I just got goosebumps and teary-eyed from your lovely comment. As a (mostly tired) Mom myself I know exactly what you mean. I use to tell my husband I go to the clinic sisters just to feel better about myself because they would always be so kind and tell me I’m a great Mom! And it’s exactly like you said, it’s not about approval but a smile, kind word or pat on the shoulder can change a dreary day into a great one.
I’m still struggling with the self love, but I do not want my daughter to be so hard on herself. And it’s getting so hard with social media and trying to be perfect all the time. That’s why I’m trying to keep thing real on the blog!
Thank you for your beautiful words and for entering our giveaway. Have a lovely day.
Lovely post! I hope to teach my daughters all the wonderful life hacks you’ve mentioned! Especially not to worry… I think that’s the most difficult, yet most important hack at this time. Also, we wear nude lipstick in this family?
Ha ha Hi Danica! OH my word! Then you must be extremely beautiful to get away with nude lipstick. When I wear nude lipstick I look 90 years old! 🙂
Yes, exactly don’t worry be happy! SUch a cliche but so true! Thank you for reading our blog and entering our fabulous competition! Have a lovely day and rock that nude lipstick!
Oh my word – how to just find one! I’d say number 5. Put that record on: web life gets you down out that music on and dance it out. When life has been great do the same dance like no ones watching. Also number 14. Be kind – always! To everyone and everything you never know what’s going on in their lives.
Music truly is magical! I loved it since I was little because I grew up in a house filled with music. Nothing like a good song to lift your mood. And kindness is probably the most important thing ever. And it’s so true what you said.. We never really know what other people are going through, so be kind! 🙂 Thank you for entering our fabulous giveaway. Put that record on and have a lovely day Dannette!
I would teach them to the love your parents its a little weird coming from me as their mom but after my moms passing last year it really hit home how fast life goes by and that tomorrow is not promised to any of us I would also tell them to travel cars, big houses and all those are great but the memories you make through travel nothing comes to that feeling one gets when a loved one is more and you can think back to all the special trips taken together doesnt always have to be far short trips are also as meaningful
Hi Tebogo. I’m so sorry about your Mom. But it’s so true that life goes by so quickly. WE tend to forget that in the daily hustle. And yes the memories made when travelling with loved ones is priceless. Loved reading your comment and thank you for entering our giveaway. Have a lovely day Tebogo!
14, be kind to everyone…that one stands out .u just make urself miserable if u aren’t…lol thanks for the old fashioned advice!
Haha it’s my pleasure Ragmah! It really is old-fashioned but so true! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for entering our giveaway and have a lovely Spring Day!
Be kind to everyone .I think respect and kindness is vital.
Definitely this one as I’m also learning from it 15. Love your parents
This one you probably won’t understand, until you become a Mom yourself.
But the love I have for you is bigger than anything I have ever experienced. The saying goes: I love you to the moon and back, but if someone has to measure my love for you that would have orbit the moon forever.
Helene…Count your blessings and be kind to everyone are two of my favorite mantras, so you are speaking my language here! I think those are the two I would choose for my little woman to know and learn in this life. Also to be a strong, independent, fierce woman (So I like the red lipstick one too, hee hee).
What a beautiful blog post! It made me tear up because I am also a mom of 3 adorable daughters and l too wish time would just stop! I enjoy and cherish every moment! I just can’t believe my oldest daughter is turning 18 next month! I also have a 14-year-old and a 5-year-old. I just love them so much! All your life hacks are equally special,the top 2 for me are gratitude and kindness. Happy blog anniversary!
I am trying my best to teach my daughter to always be kind to everyone, and like you said “half-hearted is not an option”…
I hope that times have changed by the time that she is older, so that the girls and woman would stop comparing themselves and know that they are all unique and beautiful… and even if times won’t change I want her not to compare herself, I want her be the light in someone life, even if it is in smallest or biggest way!
I want her to love, be loved. To give and to be given.
I want her to ALWAYS be herself.
I would love to each my daughter all of the above but definitely stop worrying its something that took me 30 years to learn and I hope she learns this lesson much earlier.
My biggest wish is for my son to learn to ‘Be Kind’. You never know what battle someone else is fighting and a simple smile or wave could brighten someone’s day. I will try and instill this in him as he grows older. To people, pets, plants etc and do what he can to help the community and those around him.
Totally agree with them all! And be kind to everybody is one of the things I try live by daily!
Love your blog as a new mommy <3
All of them but especially to be kind.
I would teach my little 1 to not worry…
I love this giveaway!!!!!
Be kind to everyone, we would have such a beautiful & peaceful world if everyone were kind to one another?
To travel and to always be kind ❤️
I’d love to teach my little girl to be kind to everyone…
Kindness goes a long way.
No 3 do not worry about your thighs . Because my dream for you my little Isla is to be the very best version of you even if that means having dimply skin , a pimple or a freckle . Love yourself as you are because in imperfection lies beauty .
Girl Put That Record On ? Helene I truly love this post yhe most …almost having second girl any day now and all I obsess about it how they are going to cope with a sometimes cruel world ….I want babies to be strong and conquer all fears head on x you are such an inspiration
Absolutely beautiful and inspiring post. Love it ! My parents are everything and by way of example I would teach my children to love your parents the most. As well as being kind , there is great blessings in showing kindness and compassion.
Travel my girl travel! Don’t confine yourself to one little space in this beautiful big world. With whatever money or savings you have, travel, experience life in other exotic places, make memories, buy the cutest little souvenirs & take lots of photos! Don’t wait like your mum&dad for that special big trip, just go where you can, whenever the opportunity presents itself. Life is short & unpredictable, so make every day count.
Always be humble and kind to all
Be kind to everyone. If every parent teaches this to their children then the world will be a beautiful place.
I couldn’t agree more Mala! 🙂 Have a beautiful day! Xxx