Motherhood Pressure

I’ve been thinking a lot about my role as a mother lately. It is not my role to guarantee baby girl has the cutest clothes in class. It is not my role to make sure she dates the star quarterback. It is not my role to pick what she is going to be when she grows up.  It however, IS my role to teach her quite a lot, so much that I become overwhelmed with it at times. Thinking about the fact that I must raise her to do things that even I struggle to do. That even though I have faith that she comes from heaven with a personality of her own, that it is up to me to shape what kind of person she becomes, that I have a huge influence on the values she will have for the rest of her life. That she will look up to ME as an example in so many things. How could I not be overwhelmed, talk about pressure!

This is a list of 55 things that I hope when she looks back on me as a mother in 50 years she recognizes that I successfully, or did everything in my power to teach her.

You are absolutely and undeniably unique.  You are one of a kind, and there is no one like you in the world.  BE YOURSELF.  It will draw people to you for the rest of your life.

Life is not a race.  Never compare yourself to where the people around you are.  Your plan is different than anyone else’s plan.  Remember that.

Step outside your comfort zone.  You’ll be surprised.

Everything is always okay in the end.  If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.

Nothing you do can make me stop loving you.

Beauty truly comes from the inside.  Believe that.  The media lies.  Don’t compare yourself or your looks.  Comparison is the thief of joy.  You were made in God’s image.  He doesn’t make mistakes.  You ARE beautiful.

Read your scriptures.  It has the answers to all the problems you’ll face.  And if you don’t think so, read harder.

We don’t stop playing when we get old.  We get old because we stop playing. Stay youthful.

Friends will make or break you.  Seek out good friends.  Be the kind of friend you wish you had.

Don’t be a people-pleaser.  Just be honest and do what’s right, even if it’s not popular.

When you start feeling sorry for yourself, find someone to serve.  Do something nice for someone.  Making cookies is a good start. Love is found in the service of others.

Chronic complaining is unattractive.  Develop your problem solving skills.  If you aren’t willing to make the proper change, you aren’t allowed to whine about the problem.

Don’t lose the Eternal Perspective.  As long as you can remember that Heavenly Father knows what he is doing, small trials become trivial.  He sees more than we do, and it’s all for something.

NOTHING in the world is more important than the temple.  Always keep getting to the temple your goal, and stay worthy of it once you’re there.  No activity, drink, behavior, or lifestyle is better than the blessings the temple holds.  I promise that.  Get there.  Stay there.

Keep a journal.  Write your story.  It’s therapy.

Your daddy works so hard to support our family.  He loves me and you so much.  He makes time to laugh and have fun with us every single day.  He is happy and patient.  I don’t know how he does it, but make sure you find someone like him to marry.

You never know who is watching and looking up to you.  Never forget that you are always an example to someone.

Be kind to everyone.  Even strangers.  You don’t know what they are going through. 

Hard work will get you further than anything in life.

Learn to see the beauty in the world.  It’s all around.  You just have to open your eyes to the little things.

There is more to life than money.  Money can never make you happy.  Debt will rot your soul.  Avoid unnecessary debt.

Laugh every single day.  A sense of humor is worth gold.

Happiness is a journey.  It’s a mood.  It is NOT a destination.  You can be happy amidst trials.

Always eat breakfast.

Camping is one of life’s greatest pleasures.  Do it at least once a year.

Trust takes a long time to earn, be so careful to not break that with your friends and family.

Make friends with your cousins.  Those relationships get even better with age.

There’s no such thing as too many pillows.

Your name holds special meaning to us.

A strong man isn’t threatened by a strong woman.

Womanhood is a privilege, not a disadvantage.

Good communication is a skill that should always be worked on.

Understand your worth.  If someone isn’t willing to treat you like a daughter of God, they aren’t worth your time.  Don’t ever ever settle just to save yourself from being alone. You deserve the world.

Wickedness can NEVER be happiness.

Faith has a short shelf life.  Never assume you’re “safe” from falling.

The Atonement is for more than just sins.  It is for broken hearts, sadness, depression, struggles, and anything you need strength for.  It is always available for use.  Don’t ignore it.

It’s not your place to judge.  Ever.

Forgive.  Even when they never say sorry.

Don’t ever count on somebody else to make you happy.

Be the first to volunteer when someone needs help.

Learn something from everyone.

Nobody likes a know-it-all.

Mean everything you say.  Keep your word.  Don’t trifle words.

Don’t live in the past.  You can’t drive forward if you’re stuck looking in a rear view mirror.  You will keep crashing.  Look FORWARD, and occasionally glance back to keep things in check.

Don’t wait for things to happen.  Make them happen.

Most of the things you worry about never happen.

I will always want to hear from you.

Being passive aggressive is immature.  When you have a problem with something or someone, do the right thing and talk to them about it.  It’s hard.  But it’s better.

Never attack the person.  Attack the problem.

It never hurts to ask.

You can’t change what people think about you.  Be your best self, and that is enough.

Get to know yourself.  And LOVE yourself. 

Your life has a reason, and you have a great work to do.  Look for opportunities around you to make a difference.

You are a creation of two people’s eternal love.  No one has loved anyone more than I love your dad, and no one will ever love you more than us.

(main list taken from http://greenmeadowmanor.com/2013/08/29/100-things-to-teach-evelyn/ found on pinterest)