“No! STOP! Don’t do that!”
Occasionally I want to shout these words as loud as possible to my children because many times I know, from my own past experiences, that a choice my child is about to make is not going to pan out well.
We would all like to stop our children from repeating some of our own past mistakes.
Except, our children aren’t always going to listen to us as parents.
And this simple message (along with a few other very important details) is what the author of our newest Mother’s Central guest post wants her daughter to know.
What would you want to tell your child in a letter?
Our guest post series began with Ginger Garners’ Mothers’ Day Letter to her Children and continues today with our second letter written by NAMC member Tatum Buckholtz.
Tatum currently serves as Social Membership Committee Co-Chair of the Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo is Ohio. This committee within her local center oversees a membership type offered to mothers who - for various reasons - can’t make their center’s weekly Thursday morning meetings and instead choose to participate in the center’s social activities and evening “Mom’s Meet-ups.”
Tatum and her husband are the proud parents of a five year old daughter and are anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new baby this winter. For the last twelve years, after completing her college education, Tatum has worked as an Administrative Assistant with a global engineering firm. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family and friends.
Please help us by giving a warm welcome to this week’s Mothers Central Blog contributor Tatum Buckholtz.
To My Child,
There are so many things I want to tell you that it’s hard to know where to start. I’d love nothing more than to pass along certain wisdoms and life lessons in hopes of preventing you from making some of my past mistakes.
Here’s the thing, I’m not sure it would really do you any good.
You see, I believe that like any child (myself included when I was young), you’re probably convinced that your parents know NOTHING and therefore wouldn’t listen anyways!
I also firmly believe that in order to truly learn something you have to experience it for yourself. No amount of guidance from me, or anyone for that matter, is ever going to be as effective.
That doesn’t mean I don’t plan on giving you my unsolicited advice over the years. It just means I think “experience” is going to be one of your best teachers.
With that being said, allow me to at least mention this:
- Follow your bliss!
- Love unconditionally.
- Be kind.
- Be happy.
And know that no matter what…
I love you and will always be your greatest supporter and biggest fan.
Love Always,
Your Mother
Leave a comment. Have you too come to the conclusion that sometimes “experience” is a better teacher then unsolicited advice? Help us welcome and support Tatum by leaving her a comment!
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Do you have something you’d like to tell your children? Mothers Central is excited to share more of our members’ letters to their children. Consider submitting your own letter! We will be highlighting our member letters throughout the year.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Tatum, thank you SO much for sharing your letter here on the Mothers Central Blog. Your words: “Follow your bliss! Love unconditionally. Be kind. Be happy.” Really sum up very simply what I would like to say to my own children. We can’t always prevent our children from making our past mistakes, but we can hope for happiness in the end and that they learn from their own mistakes.
And Congratulations again on the announcement of your pregnancy!
Thanks Kate! I keep trying to remind myself that every choice (both good and bad) has helped shape me into the person I’ve become today. So, even though I’d love to shield her from any wrong turns or heartache, all I can really do is just hope that she at least learn from them.
This struggle is so true Tatum. As a mom you so want to protect your children from those hard-learned lessons but we know in our hearts it’s not only impossible, but probably better in the long run that we can’t. Thanks for you contribution to MothersCentral.
It’s absolutely better that we can’t. Still doesn’t make it any easier to curb that inner Mama lion that wants to protect her cub! Thanks for your comment Linda
Tonight is my oldest daughters HS graduation and I’m so glad I took the time to read your post Tatum. Gentle words of wisdom I will share with her.
Congratulations to you and your daughter! What a bittersweet milestone I’m sure. Glad you enjoyed the post Lori