These 20 things you should tell your daughter will show her just how much you care as a parent. Sometimes children need to hear how much you love them and these kind words will offer up the comfort, security, and stability that they’ve been looking for during trying times.
20 Things You Should Tell Your Daughter
There are specific things to say to your daughter that will lift her up, guide her, give her strength, and let her know that you have her back. As a parent, that’s all we want for our children. To give them the power to go out and face the world!
If you are lost and don’t know where to start, here’s a guide to help kick off your conversation with your child. These words matter. Some of this list focuses on nice things to say to your grown daughter while other bullets revolve around the harsh realities of the world.
(1) You are beautiful. Girls are bombarded with imagery from every angle of their lives teaching them that they aren’t good enough. This pain makes them want to buy more things – clothes, makeup, filters, you name it. Keeping us insecure helps the economy. Break the cycle.
(2) Learn to say no. Women are taught to be submissive. To make things easy. To go with the flow. To not cause waves. Again – break the cycle.
(3) Do what makes you happy. We live in a society that is run by the mighty dollar but emphasize that joy should be a part of the equation as well. It’s ok to make money… but try to have passion for what you do.
(4) Have hobbies. In order to not waste our lives on our iPhones, it’s important to have things to do that we actually enjoy. Figure those out by trial and error. It’s ok if it takes some time. Here’s a list of hobbies for kids to help get you started.
(5) Don’t get sucked into social media. Some people believe that social media ruined society as we know it. I can’t argue with that. Give yourself carve-outs in the day where you participate and then cut yourself off. It will be good for the soul. Plug into the present. Be present. Be mindful.
(6) Beauty standards are false. There is no beauty standard. Whatever is shoved down our throats is made up. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and all of life is beautiful.
(7) It’s not about the destination. It’s about the journey. Rushing to get there. Rushing to settle. Rushing to get back. Rushing to share the pictures. It’s all so exhausting. Where are we going??? Just stop and smell the roses.
(8) But always travel! Yes, I know I just said it’s not about the destination, but be sure to see the world. LOL! There is so much culture and history that we need to absorb. We become better people when we do.
(9) You make me so proud. As parents, we want what is best for our daughters. So, when they come home with bad grades, we typically show disappointment. But don’t forget to tell them how proud you are of them as well.
(10) I love you no matter what. Unconditional love is not something that everyone has. Not everyone has two parents that love them no matter what they do. Remind your children that they do. It’s a given – but it’s still nice to hear.
(11) Mistakes will happen. Own up to them. Apologies are powerful. Teach your daughter that she should show remorse when she is wrong.
(12) Always keep learning. Teach your children that they are students of life. That they should always look for more because life has so much more to give.
(13) Never go to bed angry. The older they get, the more anger they will feel towards the world. Teenagers begin to rebel and question everything. But one thing is important – no one in the house should go to bed angry at one another.
(14) Don’t let people define you. Bullies will come and go in everyone’s lives, but their interpretations should not define anyone. Their thoughts are meaningless in the grand scheme of things.
(15) Things won’t make you happy. This is a big one. Commercialism is a disease. Money doesn’t buy you happiness. Items don’t bring you joy. Connections do. It’s all about the simple pleasures in life.
(16) Family is everything, but friends can become family. Your children will eventually leave the nest. Teach them that no matter what, they will always have their family to fall back on, but to keep themselves open to new relationships as well.
(17) Love yourself. Love yourself. Love yourself. Love yourself. Love yourself. And the way you teach your daughter to love herself is to show her that YOU love YOURSELF.
(18) We will always be there for you. It’s hard for children the older that they get. Isolation. Abandonment. Frustration. They need a soft place to land – a neutral zone. Let them know that you will always be that fluffy pillow.
(19) I’m sorry if I ever hurt you. I think every person in the world needs to hear this from every important person in their life. Apologize to them for any wrongdoings. Have an open discussion about open wounds. Heal together.
(20) I believe in you. Children need people to believe in them. Be the biggest cheerleader on the court. On their best days and on their worst.
BONUS –> I am not perfect. Don’t put me on a pedestal. This is a hard one. Your children need to understand that you are a human being and that you make mistakes. The quicker they realize that you are flawed, the better.
BONUS 2 –> Do better than me. We want what is best for our children and that means doing better than what we’ve done. That might mean breaking years of cyclical abuse and trauma. Bad habits. Knocking down blockages and allowing them to grow beyond family boundaries. Help them as best as you can.
These things to say to your daughter will bring you two closer and solidify your family bond. Did I miss anything on my list? What would you like to add?