Monday, August 10, 2009

Advice for my daughter.

I came to the realization a while back that this blog isn't about Sabrina, it's about me. (Anyone else seeing a theme here? Perhaps I should have just titled it ME. It's probably taken.)

I do hope, however, that at some point when she's old enough to read profanity - like 4th grade or something - that she does read my first blog and this one as it will give her insight into her mom. Especially if something were to happen to me and I wasn't around to personally show her.

With her first birthday quickly approaching, I've been feeling pensive and sentimental and yesterday it popped into my head that there is so much I want to tell her, to teach her...and what if I didn't get that opportunity? Or what if I forgot? And tons of things popped in my head. Here they are, in no particular order. My dear Sabrina, this is for you.

1) Never let a boy win to save his ego.
2) Don't smoke. It's too hard to quit. Besides, no one in California smokes anymore. It makes you more of a leper than cool.
3) Don't get a perm. Ever.
4) Never say I love you first.
5) Don't let anyone break your heart twice.
6) Some friendships aren't healthy. It's okay if they end. People grow apart.
7) Don't give up.
8) If someone tells you you're pretty, say thank you. Learn to take a compliment.
9) Hold the door open for someone following you.
10) Offer your seat to someone who might need it more.
11) Be determined.
12) Don't be afraid of being smart.
13) It's better to be overdressed rather than under dressed.
14) Don't over pluck your eyebrows. In fact, just don't touch them. We'll get them waxed.
15) Live with your spouse before you get married.
17) Be passionate. Be emotional. Be alive.
18) Talk about your feelings. Therapy is a good thing.
19) If you don't have the balls to say it to their face, don't say it behind their back. Don't gossip.
20) Not everyone will like you. That's okay.
21) Treat others how you'd like to be treated.
22) Love yourself the most.
23) Always make yourself a priority.
24) Read a lot.
25) Keep a diary. Or a journal. Or a blog.
26) Everything in moderation.
27) Don't blindly trust doctors.
28) Always say please and thank you.
29) Send thank you notes.
30) Respect your boss IF he/she deserves it.
31) People can only treat you badly if you let them.
32) Splurge on one pair of designer jeans.
33) You can be anything you put your mind to.
34) There are no boy jobs or girl jobs. Just jobs.
35) Don't be manipulative. It's ugly.
36) Always stand up for yourself.
37) Take care of your friends. They're important.
38) Be polite.
39) Always play devil's advocate. Look at all sides.
40) Apologize if you're wrong or have unintentionally hurt someone's feelings. Too much pride is not a good thing.
41) Have sex before marriage.
42) Embrace your grandparents. They love you in a way no one else can.
43) Learn how to cook.
44) Know how to change your oil. Change a tire. Know how a car works.
45) Learn how to drive a stick shift.
46) Find something that relaxes you. Don't hold stress in.
47) Swear. Cuss. It's just words.
48) Go to summer camp. Spend time away from us. Nurture your independence.
49) Laugh at yourself. Laugh often.
50) Acknowledge someone else's sadness with a hug, or an "I'm sorry" or a card. The worst thing you can say is nothing at all.

There you go. Thirty-three years of wisdom I'm imparting on you. I don't follow all of my own advice. You won't, either. That's okay. You're fabulous no matter what.

Love you my baby love.

12 comments:

Aunt Becky said...

All very, very good advice.

Brakes and Gas said...

Very true advice! I want to share these things with my "baby-love". Great... now I am all gooshy. :)

janessa said...

this is beyond fantastic advice...

KandiB said...

Fantastic advice! I love it all. I'd add "take your makeup off before you go to bed" - didn't learn that one till my 30's and I think it added like a million wrinkles.

Long time lurker - love your blog.

minivan soapbox said...

I actually fear that one day my daughter WILL read my blog....Number 6 and 31. Yes, yes, yes.

Anonymous said...

this is a great list. did you read http://prudentadviceformybabydaughter.blogspot.com i saw that site and googled advice for my daughter and found yours, a lot of them are the same! you might like it!

SwishDesigns said...

I love it! All such great advice! I need to create one for my son...and I think I will! ;)

Jess said...

This is fabulous! Great advice and so sweet =)

Hazel said...

I love your list! So many great pieces of advice!

Anonymous said...

Very wise... I wish my mom had lived long enough to tell me that stuff.. Sabrina is very lucky girl.

Shannon said...

Great advice. Did you know that there was a large group of ladies in the east bay with girl crushes on you? ;)

Andrea said...

I love this post. Wonderful words of wisdom for your little girl! (Love those ladybug cookies, too, btw!)