If there’s one thing I’m grateful for it’s the effortlessly wonderful relationship I’ve always had with my mom. Growing up we rarely fought (save for those brooding couple of years when I was an angst-ridden teenager who occasionally took her mood swings out on her undeserving mother) and I always enjoyed the time we spent together.
Now that I have three daughters of my own I find myself wondering how to create rich and lasting relationships with them that can be free from drama and attitude, where they will be able to look back on their times with me in the same I do mine with my mother. And so, I got to thinking about the things she did (and continues to do) so I can have a go-to list of reminders of the things I can do with my girls. A recipe for success, if you will. If you want a good relationship with your daughter you should:
1. Take her shopping on a Saturday. Buy her a few new pieces of clothing each season, then take her out for lunch at the food court.
2. Respect her. Always treat her as a full-fledged human even though she is in kid-sized body. Remember her feelings, listen to her ideas, teach her to resolve conflict by rationally talking it out.
3. Do not give unsolicited advice. If she comes asking for guidance, then give it, but don’t dish it out when she’s not.
4. Take her out for a little treat after a haircut. A dilly bar from Dairy Queen will suffice, and it’s just nice to make an outing extra-special.
5. Support her decisions.
6. Love her unconditionally and remind her often that she is loved exactly for who she is right now.
7. Send care packages in the mail whens he moves away.
8. When she grows up and has children of her own, go and visit her and hold her babies, clean her messy house and tell her she’s doing a great job, even if you don’t totally believe it.
Happy Mother’s Day to my mom, and all of the moms out there who are doing their best to raise strong and happy kids. You are all doing so much and deserve to be celebrated! I hope you get breakfast in bed or some flowers or, perhaps the best gift of all…a nap.
I was just thinking that I look older than your mom too!
happy mom’s day
Ummm I look older than your MOM! Wow! I love this list! So great!
Your mom really is the best. You are blessed, indeed.
Thanks for that list. I didn’t have a good relationship with my mom growing up, and even though we’re better now, we’re still not close. I often feel like I’m parenting my daughters blind. Any advice and tips always come in handy. Thanks!
Oh hells to the YES, I’ll take that nap the very moment I can score one.
Great list, lady. Hold your girls close. Hold your mum close too!!
I don’t have a good relationship with my mom AT ALL, but I’d love to have a good one with my girls. Your mom is such a great example of how to do that!
Saturday shopping trips with lunch and coffee were always the best, I love shopping with my Mum
Beautiful tribute to a woman who sounds like a very special mom. I’m absolutely sure the greatest gift we can give to our mothers is acknowledgment and gratitude for what a great job they did at mothering, because isn’t that what we as mothers most want?