9 Lessons For My Growing Teenage Daughter

When I was pregnant with you, I was so scared.  When you were a toddler, I prayed I was doing the right things, teaching you the right lessons.  When you entered elementary school, I hoped that I was equipped to handle all the changes in your life.  Now that you’re about to graduate high school, I am a little more confident that I’ve given you the tools to enter adulthood.

But there are still some life lessons I need you to learn.

You are Unique.  There is no one quite like you.  There are too many teenagers that I know who hate injustice as much as you do or speak up on behalf of others.  I never want you to lose that ability.

You are Beautiful.  Other than being simply “pretty”, any girl can be pretty.  You are beautiful, inside and out.  With you, it’s not just surface material or skin deep.  It goes all the way to your heart and soul.

Never Stand for it.  Don’t let anyone tell you what to believe, what to think or what to feel. Your emotions and thoughts are your own and never wrong.  Just different than what others feel or think.  Not wrong.

Stand Up for it.  On the opposite side of the coin, never hold your thoughts or feelings back.  You are entitled to them.  Own them.

Sex is Special.  I know that you have had sex; you had a longtime boyfriend after all.  I hope you learned that sex is better with someone you love.  Sex is important – don’t cheapen it.

You only Owe Yourself.  If anyone mistreats you or demeans you, give as good as you get.  Don’t put up with it.  Don’t allow things to happen to you that you don’t like or agree with.

You are Strong.  Remember, you don’t need a man.  Yes, you can want a man in your life, but he is not there to “complete” you.  He’s there to complement you.

You are Smart. Even though your grades are average, you are way smarter than people give you credit for.  And that’s the smartest way to go – they may underestimate you.  Once.  Not twice.

Not Everyone Will Like You.  Yes, this hurts.  And yes, it’ll make you question what you did.  But the hurt will leave and you will realize it was their issue, not yours.

Now go forth, and be awesome.  I know you are.

Written by: Allyson Johns