Last night, I was sound asleep when a text came through on my mobile phone (or cell if you’re Canadian). I don’t get many texts mostly because I’m renowned for not having a particularly mobile mobile. I’m not a fan of them and so generally leave it behind and generally with a flat battery. Given this, I thought I better check the message out.
So after the BEEP BEEP…BEEP BEEP scared the absolute bejesus out of me and I passed through the “where am I” and “WTF was that?” phases, I fumbled around for the phone, squinted at the screen and read this message;
Had a baby girl 3.5kg caesar after 15 hours totally cactus talk TMRW
It was from my best mate who lives in Darwin and who’s just had her first baby. This was my reply;
HOLY SHIT [sorry Mum] That’s awesome! I have another niece! 15 hours! F*** [sorry Mum again] get some sleep. So proud of you! Lots tonnes heaps of love us. xxx
Given I am a proud Auntie, this week’s question is;
If you could give your child (or niece/nephew/any child) one piece of advice, what would it be?
Me? I’d steal this little gem; “You have achieved success if you have lived well, laughed often, and loved much.” —Bessie Anderson Stanley
Your turn. What advice would you give?
Related posts:
- Friday Question – Advice from Mum Photo by The Ninja Monkey This end of the...
- Friday Question – Favourite Children’s Book Photo by The Ninja Monkey This week’s question is inspired...
- Advice I Would Have Given Myself When I Turned 21 Photo by peregrine blue I have come of age! No,...
- Friday Question – Your Next Trip Photo by The Ninja Monkey The end of the...
- Friday Question – Relationships as a Top Priority Photo by The Ninja Monkey Last week’s Friday Question, (If...
My four year old son asked me for career advice the other day (he’s a thoughtful child). Which led to a discussion about life. Don’t worry, we spend most of our time telling fart jokes and making forts, not reading the Economist and discussing personal philosophies.
Son: “Dad how do I pick a job?”
Dad: “What is the one thing you want to do more than anything in the world?”
Son: “Fix cars. Is there a job where I can fix cars?”
Dad: “There sure is and if you follow your heart when you choose anything in life, you can’t go wrong.”
Although with a four year old it leads to choosing candy for breakfast over fruit almost every time.
Cheers!
Joe
What a fun Friday post. I’m sure there are many more, but I haven’t had my coffee yet, and these are the only pieces of advice that sprang to mind at the moment. Happy Friday!
1. Play outside every chance you get: you will remember these moments farm more in future years than you will remember your favorite TV show and game.
2. Don’t panic when you get taken to the doctor for stitches. The doctors are usually really nice, you’ll get a nice meal out afterward (probably), and all your friends will think you’re cool to have stitches and even cooler to have a scar (or several).
3. Keep believing in Santa. He keeps Christmas magical.
4. Your parents probably ARE smarter than you. Whether you believe it or not, they’ve probably already done everything you’re thinking about doing and then some. This is why they’re onto you. No, they’re not talking to God.
5. Don’t let the nickname everyone calls you phase you. It means nothing and has no bearing on who you really are. You’ll grow out of it. You are beautiful as you are.
I would give the same advice I’m often giving to my cautious-natured son. (This is also the same advice I’m trying to give myself!!)
Go for it. Who cares what others think? You’ll regret it if you don’t grab each and every opportunity. Some opportunities are not always offered a second time…
@Joe
Hi Joe,
Ahhh, yes, fart jokes. Quite popular in our household too.
SO great to see a Dad encouraging his son to do whatever his heart desires. If there was more of that in the world, there’d be a whole lot more happiness and fulfillment in the work force.
Ahhh, yes, candy for breakfast. Quite popular in our household too (and we don’t even have kids)!
@Chania Girl
Hi CG,
For someone who hadn’t had their coffee yet, you came up with some pearlers (Aussie for great ones). #1 Totally agree!. #2 Totally agree and yes, I’ve been there. #3 And the Easter bunny. #4 That explains how they knew what I got up to. #5 Thank god! I’m not “sami” intelligent after all! Woohoo!
@Kirwin
Hey K,
Now that’s GREAT advice. Couldn’t agree more!
My advice comes from the movie “Pursuit of Happiness.” In that movie the struggling father, played by Will Smith, told his son, “never let anyone tell you that you cannot do something, not even me.” That is great advice. We should always encourage a child to pursue their dream, even when as parents, that dream may seem impossible to achieve. Why? Because, that child may indeed surprise you one day by achieving that impossible dream.
@Jenny
Hi Jenny,
Oh yes, I totally remember that line from the movie. It struck a chord with me too. I can’t tell you how much I agree with encouraging a child to pursue their dreams. Actually, I think us adults need more encouragement than children. They don’t have the self doubt and concern about what others think that we tend to have! Thanks for stopping by.
Always, always be yourself. If that means you want to do something others think is silly or uncool – that probably means it’s actually really cool. Go for it! If you want to wear something that no one else is wearing, do it!
“Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.”
- Dr. Seuss
Veronica
http://www.drrussbuss.com
@Veronica
Hey Veronica,
Love it! The Dr Seuss quote is perfect for the piece of advice you’ve given.
Hey Sami,
I was born and bred in Darwin! Sorry, totally unrelated to the post topic, but given it isn’t that big, it caught my eye when you said that your friend was from there!!
Ok, digressing a bit here… My Mum and Dad (who happen to still be in Darwin) pretty much always said to me “Do your best”.
I use the same theory with our son: “Try your hardest, no one can ask more than that.”
Love your post,
K
Hi Sami,
“Don’t let your dreams be dreams”.
Can’t remember who said it or when but it stuck in my head and I try to live by it.
Loving this post and the super inspiring comments you’ve created.
Will follow you often.
Phillipa x
PS. With you on the phone thing too.
@Kirsty
That’s a great piece of advice and so true. Doing your best at any given moment with the knowledge, skills and awareness you have at that particular point is all we can do. And no, no one can ask for more than that.
I’ve visited Kate a few times. I love Darwin (even with the humidity). People are so friendly and there’s no hustle and bustle (probably because it’s too hot!).
@Phillipa
Hi Phillipa. Oh, I totally LOVE that piece of advice! Couldn’t agree more. I haven’t heard that quote but I’ll be using it from now on (there’s even a post in it me thinks). Kudos to you for living that way. It’s the only way to live in my opinion.
Thanks so much for stopping by and you’re welcome back any time!