Dear Daughter,
I know it’s hard right now, you are growing up. It’s harder for me. No matter how big you get, you will always be my baby girl. I live in fear every day. I never want you to get hurt. My main job is to take care of you, my daughter, and to keep you safe. I’m trying to remember what it was like to be your age. Believe it or not, I used to be a teenage daughter once.
Now that I am an adult, my Mother is one of my best friends. But I remember times when I thought I hated her. I realize now, I never did. Always wanted to be free to make my own choices and prove that I could be independent. You are going through the same things and I keep trying to remember that. But it seems too often, now, I fear you hate me too. I keep telling myself, you’re a teenager and its part of life. Doesn’t make it any easier.
I have spent every day since you came into my life trying to keep you safe. Today is no different. I still see that tiny girl, waking up in tears shaking from night terrors. I never doubt that you are smart and capable of making good choices. But who knew it would be so hard to let you start going out on your own?
The world can be such a scary place! Most days, I worry- it isn’t because I don’t trust you- it’s because I don’t trust the world! I cannot predict the future. I know I am not the perfect Mother, and I don’t claim to be. But I love you and your siblings more than life itself. Every day you walk out that door, it like a part of me has walked away into the unknown and I have to trust you will be okay.
I hope that we have built a strong foundation and you will be smarter and make better choices than I did. But I get it, I have to let you make your own decisions sometimes. And the reality is, I cannot protect from everything. You have to make your own choices, and your own mistakes-so you will learn and grow. Maybe it’s not my job to protect from a broken heart. But please know, that no matter what, I will always be here, with open arms (and some fresh baked chocolate chip cookies!).
All I ask is that you bear with me. Raising a teenage daughter is no easy task! (Neither is a teenage son for that matter!) Understand, that every choice I make, I’m doing the best I can. Please don’t hate me, at least not for too long! I want your life to be exponentially better than mine. Someday you will outgrow me. You will be stronger, smarter and more successful than I ever dreamed. Eventually, you will be able tell me where I can take my unsolicited advice! Until then, always know:
I am your Mom, and I will definitely be getting on your nerves for some time, so get used to it!
BUT….
I love you, forever, no matter what.
Mom
Xoxo
Originally published on February 21, 2018
