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A Letter to My Future Graduate

Filed Under: Being a mom, BLOG, Life in General, lists, One Word Challenge, parenting, school Tagged With: , , , , ,

To my future graduate now and always,

It is that time of the year. Finally the invites went out for your pre-school graduation today. Yup, you are will be a pre-school graduate now. (This was a year ago and now you are graduation from kindergarten as time keeps marching on!)

I am so very proud and happy for you that you have reached this first of many milestones.

Yet, I fear that I will turn around only to find myself holding your high school graduation invitation.

I know it may sound crazy, but still.

See time has a way of going faster than we ever could imagine.

I know you are so very happy to be leaving pre-school behind. Plus, I know you are more than ready to join the ranks of elementary school kids in kindergarten this fall.

Yet, I need to take this moment in time to convey all I am feeling and thinking for what lies ahead.

It doesn’t seem all that long ago that, I was starting kindergarten. Still that was somehow another lifetime ago, since I was a graduate.

But since I have been there and done that, I felt I needed to impart some of my prior knowledge of my own experiences over my past school years’ tenure.

Letter to my 2028 Future Graduate

Here are five pieces of wisdom for my future graduate:

1. Read, read, read.

I know you are just beginning to learn how to read. Right now you have learned your alphabet sounds and sight words.

But as you become more comfortable with decoding larger and more challenging words, my one grand wish is that you learn not only to do this. But also to enjoy all that comes with the wide, vast world of books.

Why?

Because reading will open all sorts of new worlds that you couldn’t even begin to imagine.  Trust me, when I say that being literate is a highly attractive quality to possess for future successes.

2. Never stop learning.

Along the lines of reading, I hope you will find greater pleasures in continually learning. Even from the most mundane and smallest tasks to the grandest, keep trying.

Please understand that you may not always grasp certain concepts when first introduced to you. Also, you will indeed make your fair share of mistakes. Because if at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

See learning and practice certainly will make you better at all you try.

3. Be a leader.

Even though it is truly OK to make mistakes, still friends and peers will test you at every turn. But I can’t stress enough that you should try to be a leader and not a follower.  Using your brain is a beautiful thing.

See you are a smart and creative thinker, who I hope will march to the beat of your own drum.  This will apply, especially as you get older and in your teen years.  Just because a friend or even the supposed cool kids are doing something doesn’t mean you have to as well. Because quite often you may find yourself in over your head trying to do something that you aren’t comfortable doing or just might get you in a world of trouble.

As my mother always told me, if all the other kids were jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge, would you?  As crazy as it sounded to me, trust me It makes sense.

4. Believe in yourself.

Have faith and be courageous, too.  You, my sweet dear child, are capable of the moon and back.

You already have me in your corner. But still I hope you allow yourself to have be brave enough to strive for all you are capable of. Also, be proud of all you do achieve.

5. Think before you act.

As much as I want you to have self-confidence, I want you to remember that one wrong move could have disastrous consequences.  See you aren’t the first and you won’t be the last.

So please try to remember this when you are on top of the world thinking you are invincible.

Don’t get me wrong, I want you to be excited for all the possibilities. But still remember that you can get hurt badly or harm others, if you don’t think before you act or speak.  Simply put. Try not to open your mouth and insert your foot too often.

When all else fails, please know that I couldn’t love you more than ever. And I am so very proud of you now and forever my graduate.

Love always,

Mom

[Tweet “What advice would you give your future graduate? #Parenting”]

This post was written for the One Word Blog Linkup that is hosted by Lisa of The Golden Spoons (who is off this week on vacation), Marcia of Blogitudes and yours truly, too.

The words for this week are: Time or Happy.

 

*A version of this article was republished on Huffington Post with permission.

About Janine

Janine is a published author of the books, The Mother of All Meltdowns and Only Trollops Shave Above the Knee. She has been featured on The Huffington Post, Mamapedia, Today Parenting Team and SheKnows. She also runs her own graphic design company at J9 Designs.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. Angie says

    Isn’t it funny – terrifying – how we can flash forward, nearly missing the moment that is here as we think of how fast they are growing!? Great thoughts this morning. Thank you for hosting!

  5. christina says

    I have one ‘graduating’ (although the school refuses to call it that preferring ‘promotion’) middle school in two weeks! Yikes!!
    I feel like I am still in college, (well maybe fresh out of) Where does the time go???

    • Janine says

      I know I can’t believe I am no longer in college or even high school myself! Seriously crazy how quickly it all goes. And congrats to yours graduating middle school now 🙂

  8. Bev says

    It must be hard to believe that both of your daughters will be in elementary school! I’m already thinking about a pre-preschool program for Eve this fall which is just crazy to me. Great advice for any child as they get older 🙂

    • Janine says

      Bev, it is a bit surreal and still can’t quite believe it. We have all summer still, but I know that before I know it September will be here and both will be in school full time. Just so crazy!

  9. Bill says

    Bev’s daughter graduates from high school next week….finally, empty nest!!!!!!!!

    It comes quickly, Janine. Enjoy it while you can, and Happy Wednesday to you.

  10. Diane Roark says

    Janine,

    I wrote a similar letter to each of my kids when they were born or adopted. We recently read them. In 2028, your daughter will really appreciate these words. The letter will mean more to her since it was written some 13 years before her graduation. It is a beautiful love letter. Thanks for sharing!
    Blessings,
    Diane

    • Janine says

      I love that you wrote letters to each of your kids, too. And you are right, someday I will most definitely show this to Lily hoping it means more than to her. Hugs 🙂

  12. Marcia @ Blogitudes says

    For me, it seems like just yesterday when I was holding my precious nieces and nephews in my lap, watching them take their first steps, go to kindergarten … and now some of them are married and having babies of their own. I can’t believe how fast that time in-between flew. This is a beautiful letter, Janine. It’s filled with tremendous love and great advice and I’m sure your daughter will treasure it in the days to come. Thank you so much for sharing it. 🙂

    • Janine says

      Aw, Marcia I was smiling reading all the times you have shared with your own nieces and nephews and now with those grand nieces/nephews, too. Thank you so much for sharing with me, too!! 🙂

  14. Seana Turner says

    Such great advice, Janine. I can’t tell you how beneficial reading is… the obvious benefits such as vocabulary and reading comprehension, but also the more subtle benefits like cultural literacy. Reading puts the knowledge inside of you without having to study!

  20. Jen says

    Janine, this is lovely! She will be well prepared if she follows your list. Even though 2028 seems so far away, I promise it will creep up on you and she will be graduating before you blink. It just all goes so fast!

  23. Carrie Groneman says

    Great post today Janine. It brings back memories of my letters, conversations and late nights with my kids all through their school years – oh wait we are still doing that! Carrie, A Mother’s Shadow

  24. Lisa @ The Meaning of Me says

    Can’t even really get my brain around my daughter being finished with first grade, never mind high school or college! Yikes!
    All of these made me say “yes” and “absolutely” because they are good sound pieces of advice. Love that you have reading at #1. It’s so important in everything and I think often gives us the avenue to all the rest of your advice. Great post!

  25. Tamara says

    Aww.. crazy that you’ll have another elementary school kid soon! I love the advice to read, read, read. Scarlet has come so far in that regards, just because of the constant practice.
    The idea of my kids graduating high school nauseates me, though! Sob!

  26. Leslie says

    Class of 2028…wow how time does fly. So in agreement with #1 and #2; they go hand in hand! Keep at it and I’m sure she’ll grow up to be more amazing than you ever imagined (they both will).

  27. Julie Jo Severson says

    You nailed it. This is exactly what I need to write down for my own children. I’m tweeting this AND printing it. Thank you!

  28. Eli@coachdaddy says

    I just scheduled Elise’s first college visit for Monday. It wasn’t long ago that she skipped next to me holding my hand walking down the elementary school hallway. I don’t feel old at all and I don’t feel scared. I feel fortunate to have held her hand, and to still be at her side.

    I love that your advice centered on support and happiness. At graduation time, we put the weight of the world on our kids. Change the world! Not everyone can be president or an astronaut. But they have potential to live their life full of love, kindness and happiness.

    • Janine says

      Eli, I am so with you and definitely teaching my girls to be kind and happy, too as they grow up. And as for the college visit, I am wishing Elise the best first visit ever and keep me posted how it goes 😉

  31. Jack says

    That is a great list. Time really does move ever so quickly.
    My kids just graduated from middle and elementary school this week but I could swear that just last week they were still in preschool.

  32. Rea says

    Reading is a great advice! It’s not easy with Reiko but I’m sure I’ll get there. And I agree that kids have to learn not to do things just because the “cool” kids are doing them. That’s quite tough for kids growing up. Peer pressure is a tough thing to handle but with proper guidance, I’m sure everything will follow. Sweet sweet letter you have! 🙂

  34. Stacey aka the Soccer Mom says

    Wonderful advice and all things that I wish I had did a better job of growing up. I did read a lot, but I regret not being more self-confident. Hopefully I can teach my daughters the things it took me 30 years to figure out!

  35. Aunt Gloria says

    Such a beautiful letter and loving advice. I thought #3 especially poignant. I think Lily and Emma will both benefit from a mom who can share this kind of advice and offer them support …. growing up is not easy! They will probably most appreciate this when they are past the teen years and into womanhood. You are on target and a great mom! Congrats to Lily…. Love to all…..

  38. The Pinterested Parent says

    This is great Janine. #3 is a big one for me. I love that one. They are all important, but I don’t want my daughter to give into peer pressure. I want her to beat to her own drum like you said, no matter what the tune is, as long as she is true to herself.

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