As any parent knows, teaching your kids to be kind and confident members of society is no easy task. And while there are many tips and lists instructing children on how to behave, one mom took to her Facebook page with a list of behaviors she wants her young daughter not to do.
On the Love What Matters Facebook page, Toni Hammer posted an empowering letter with a list of “don’ts” for her daughter, and the internet responded with a round of applause.
Some of the advice on the list includes, “Don’t say ‘sorry to be such a pain.’ You’re not a pain. You’re a person with thoughts and feelings who deserves respect.”
Another “don’t” encourages her daughter to be an independent person, saying, “Don’t stay home because you don’t have anyone to go out with. Take yourself out. Have experiences by yourself and for yourself.”
Read the entire list below:
“To my daughter,
Don’t apologize when someone else bumps into you.
Don’t say ‘sorry to be such a pain.’ You’re not a pain. You’re a person with thoughts and feelings who deserves respect.
Don’t make up reasons as to why you can’t go out with a guy you don’t wanna go out with. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. A simple ‘no thanks’ should be acceptable.
Don’t overthink what you eat in front of people. If you’re hungry, eat, and eat what you want. If you want pizza, don’t get a salad just because other people are around. Order the damn pizza.
Don’t keep your hair long to make someone else happy.
Don’t wear a dress if you don’t want to.
Don’t stay home because you don’t have anyone to go out with. Take yourself out. Have experiences by yourself and for yourself.
Don’t hold back your tears. Crying means you’re feeling something that needs to get out. It’s not a weakness. It’s being human.
Don’t smile because someone told you to.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at your own jokes.
Don’t say ‘yes’ to be polite. Say ‘no’ because it’s your life.
Don’t hide your opinions. Speak up and speak loudly. You should be heard.
Don’t apologize for being who you are. Be brave and bold and beautiful. Be unapologetically you.”
#LoveWhatMatters Credit: Toni Hammer
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