If you could write your child a letter, what would it say?
Have you ever learned a life lesson and thought to yourself, “Now that is something I wish I had known a lot sooner!”
Life lessons have a way of presenting themselves at the most inconvenient times.
Like when you are having a excessively trying day and are about to have a break down.
Or in hindsight, after you have already made a bad decision.
Sometimes you learn a life lesson from your friends, sometimes from a complete stranger, and even (on occasion) from your own children.
Yet, the one thing that almost all life lessons have in common is:
You always wonder why you JUST NOW figured this particular epiphany out, and why you couldn’t have figured it out just a little bit earlier.
I keep trying to remind myself that timing is everything. Maybe something I learned today, I wouldn’t have understood yesterday? And I do realize that there are some things that I am just not ready to understand yet… EXCEPT…
Ideally, I still wish I could pass some of my newly acquired wisdom down.
Especially to my own kids.
Lessons like:
- No matter how much you plan, it is ALWAYS good to have a back-up plan. (Plans nearly never go exactly as “planned!”)
- OR: Striving for perfection is not always the “perfect” solution.
- OR: Sleep… Ohhhhh beautiful sleep… how sleep should have a much higher priority in your life then you might want to give it.
Really, I could go on and on.
But, It’s Your Turn Now.
On the Mothers Central blog I have written both a letter to my daughter and a “fan letter” to my own children. Someday I’d like to share these letters with my kids in hopes that my experiences might help them to learn some life lessons of their own.
The National Association of Mothers’ Centers would now like to hear what you have to say. We want to feature you as a guest post on the Mothers Central Blog!
What would you say if you were to write a letter to your own child?
What would be the most important wisdom you would want to pass down and share with them?
Here are the ground rules:
- You must be a NAMC member. (Aren’t a member? It is only $35 and tax deductible! Find out the benefits and join here.)
- Write a letter to your child(ren) in 500 words or less.
- Begin the letter with: To my child(ren), and end it with: Love Always, Your Mother
- Submit it here along with a photo of yourself or your family (optional).
It’s that easy. If your letter is chosen, it will be featured as a guest post on Mothers Central!
What would you like to tell your children in a letter?
We want to know!
P.S. Share this post with others via Facebook, Twitter and email so they too might consider writing their own letter!
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Kate this is a wonderful idea… Every year around my daughters birthdays (and even when I found out I was pregnant with them) I wirte a letter to my child sharing the joys, thoughts and sorrows of the year. I have sealed these letters and addressed them to my girls, and the plan is that on their 18th birthday (maybe) or when they are becoming mothers themselves, or maybe their wedding days I would gift these letters to them. This became an important priority for me 18 months ago, when I was diagnosed with a brain mass (benign). It made me realize that this is a voice for me to my children, that they will always have.
What a great gift you are giving your children. Memories in our head grow old and often get unconsciously re-written in our minds. But when we physically write things down, I feel we can more accurately recreate and remember the moment. I hope others will feel as you do and want to share their letters here Kori!
What a great idea and wonderful gift. Love the idea of writing my child a letter and really love the idea of writing one once a year. Especially after reading your comment…
“Memories in our head grow old and often get unconsciously re-written in our minds.”
Such a sad but true statement. I try to get it all down as quickly as I can (journal, scrapbook, baby book, etc.) but find myself getting a little fuzzy on some of the details
My mind gets fuzzier by the minute
and writing IS such a great way to capture all my memberies. I hope you will consider submitting your own letter Tatum!