Hi Peanut,
You’re only eight months old, so none of this will make any sense right now. But you’re growing up ridiculously quickly, and before I know it you’ll be out in the world living your own life. I’d like to share a few things with you that I’ve only learnt recently. Things I wish someone had told me to think about when I was younger. If you’re anything like me though, by the time you hit your teens, the last thing you’ll want to hear is your old mother giving you advice on how to live your life! So I’m writing you this letter to read in your own time, and hopefully it will be of some use as you set out to be the superwoman I know you can be.
Rack up those frequent flyer miles
You’re a lucky little tot. Your grandparents already have plans to whisk you away to Disney cruises and African safaris as soon as you’re old enough to spell ‘globetrotter’. I want you to be exposed to as many different countries and cultures as possible when you’re growing up, so I’ll do my best to make sure we see as much of the world as we can together. And when you finish school, make sure you travel, travel, travel (even if you have to wrench yourself away from a clingy, weepy Mummy when the time comes!)
Friends are the family you make for yourself
You don’t have a choice, you’re stuck with Mummy and Daddy. But you can decide who you want to surround yourself with. A true friendship is one of the most important things in life, so be a great friend and look for great friends. You don’t need a billion of ‘em, but you do need buddies who support your dreams and care about you. In turn, support their dreams and care about them. At the same time, if a ‘friendship’ is bringing you down, don’t be afraid to walk away.
Here’s a bit of a guide: If you see yourself inviting someone to your childrens’ wedding (even if your kids don’t really know who they are and are grumbling because they have to add more people to the guest list), or causing mayhem with them at the old folks’ home when you’re both old and grey, you’re probably on to a winner.
Ahh, love
Firstly, getting your heart broken – especially for the first time – sucks. It really, really sucks. No doubt Daddy will have a world of pain planned for the idiot who hurt you, and I will be there with all the hugs and ice cream you need even if You Don’t Want To Talk About It. But as much as it won’t seem like it at first, it will get better. Eventually.
That said, being in love is awesome. You may have one romance, you may have a dozen. Just try to discover who you are first before settling down, and choose a partner who can bring out the best in you. Also, make sure they can make you laugh until your belly hurts.
(Daddy’s just yelled, “AND YOU MAY NOT DATE UNTIL YOU ARE TWENTY ONE.”)
Be the person everyone wants on their team
Whether it’s your first job during the school holidays (yes, you will be working during your school holidays), a group assignment at university, or climbing that corporate ladder, make sure you put 100% into accomplishing your goals. Regardless of what career path you choose, being a great worker is something people value and remember. Put your heart into what you do, and you’ll have an amazing future.
You only get one body, so take care of it
You have a long time to go before you start worrying about wrinkles and creaky bones! But taking care of yourself is important, life is crap if you’re not healthy. Firstly, choose a fun way to keep fit. Your grandpa Joe is a great tennis player, that could be cool. Daddy’s a great golfer, that might be good too. Pilates and yoga are totally in right now, but who knows what your generation will get up to. Maybe there’ll be a machine that does the work for you. Now THAT is a good idea.
Next, splurge on a great skincare regime. Sunblock is essential, whether you’re a beach bunny like I was, or a shade-hunter like your Aunty M. Don’t wait til your late twenties to start like I did. Thirdly, learn to love your shape and size. I know it will be hard when you’re taller and ganglier than most of your schoolmates, with feet that look like Ronald McDonald’s. Sorry kid, but with your parents built like chopsticks, you’re pretty much guaranteed An Awkward Phase. But I’ll do my best to remind you that you’ll grow out of it, and that while I may be biased, you always have been and will always be a beautiful girl.
Finally, dream big
Keep asking yourself what you want out of your life, and then set out to get it. Nothing’s stopping you from becoming a historian in Egypt, a chef in Europe, a UN ambassador, or even a magician. As long as it makes you happy (and is situated somewhere I can visit), I’ll be cheering you on.
I love you forever.
Mummy
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Sharon Chai left the world of high heels, lipstick and fancy pants this year to fumble through life as a new mum to Arianna. Between diaper changing and off-key singing for her daughter’s entertainment, she writes about her Thermomix kitchen escapades on Thermomixin.com.
