If I had to put it into words, here is what I’d say

So I’m doing something a little different with today’s post, I hope you’ll enjoy it. Yesterday’s find joy prompt was to write a letter and I want to do my own version of that by writing a letter to my daughter but for her to read as a teenager. The years are flying by and she’s closing in on being a tween so the teen years are sneaking up on me way too fast.

Dear future Isabella,

I can only begin to imagine what the world will be like in 8 years when you’re 16 and I’m honestly terrified about what teens will be getting into at that point. It seems like the world has already changed so much since I was in high school and that was only 12-14 years ago. We barely had cell phones and there was texting but with no camera phones there were no sexting and making the mistake of pictures getting released. We were barely starting to have Myspace and there was no Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, etc. There are just too many ways for teens today to over share and I imagine this will only get worse. Be careful not to put too much out there. Once it’s out in the internet you can never get it back and you don’t want a poor choice made at 15 to haunt you into adulthood. So please be careful. If you wouldn’t want your dad and I to read it or see it, then don’t send it to someone who could put it online. Use that as your guideline and you’ll hopefully avoid a lot of mistakes and embarrassment.

At eight you’re starting to ask questions about sex because you’ve heard the word from friends. How can this already be happening? I’m aware that you will more than likely be having sex at some point as a teenager and that’s just part of raising a teen. Don’t do it too soon though. Hang on to your virginity for awhile and don’t give it away to someone who doesn’t deserve it. I don’t want you to look back and regret such a big moment in your life. Also promise me you’ll be careful. Use protection every time. You don’t want to get a disease it’s not worth your health and I also really don’t want to be a super young grandma. I will answer any questions you have and help you get protection because I’d rather know you are being safe and careful than you not ask out of being embarrassed or afraid I’ll get mad.

Life will be hard sometimes and there really is no way around that but you have so much love and support from the people in your life and I want you to know you can turn to us if life gets bad and you need help. I don’t want you to ever feel like you are alone in this world and there is no one that will be there for you. That is not true. There is literally no problem that will be too big for me to handle and that I can’t help you with. I won’t have all the answers but I can be there to support you and to help you figure out a solution no matter what is going on. I don’t want you to ever be one of those kids who feels their life is not worth living because their problems are too big and they don’t know where to turn. I will be there and if not me than your dad or your other family. You are not alone in this world.

My job has been and will continue to be your biggest supporter and someone you can trust although I don’t love how fast you’re growing up I understand it’s happening and I want you to know I’m there for you. Anything you want to ask me I will do my best to answer and help you through any problem. I’m your mom first and that is my main role but I can also be a friend in the sense you can trust me and I will be there for support and comfort when needed. I hope we remain close as you continue to grow up and that you always know how much you mean to my life and how blessed I am to be your mother.

Love you always,

Mom