A letter to my inspiring tween from your mom…
I sit here god-smacked that you are no longer a baby, but a tween. Wasn’t it just yesterday that we brought you home from the hospital?
Yet, quite a few years have passed. You aren’t even really a little girl anymore. Furthermore, you are well on your way in your tween years.
Today, you excitedly bound off the school bus wearing your Justice Emoji backpack. You informed me that you were finally eligible to take chorus before school.
Still though how is that you are old enough to be a part of chorus? Better yet, how can you possibly be old enough to be a part of a before school club activity?
But here we are. You are growing up right before my eyes. Moreover, I couldn’t be more proud of you for many reasons.
Let me count the ways…
1. You are a leader, not a follower.
I have lost count how many times I have watched you do something, simply because you wanted to do it. No one has had to twist your arm. Nor have you chosen to be a part of something, because a friend is doing it. Your independence astounds me. But still, you have many friends and are never short for having others who do want to spend time with you. Also, I know you enjoy their company, as well. Yet, you don’t follow anyone’s lead. Therefore, you beat to your own drum more often than not.
2. Confidence should have your middle name.
Grace is your middle name. But in hindsight confidence could have very well been your middle name. Why? Because you always put your whole heart and soul into trying stuff. Like recently deciding to read The Descendants chapter book before bed nightly. You are confident, especially in your reading skills now.
3. Doing what makes you happy.
Growing up, I wasn’t a sporty girl. I hate to admit that I don’t always enjoy a whole weekend of soccer practice and games. But you love playing soccer. I have never tried to discourage you from this. Watching you grow and blossom on the soccer field has made my own heart soar for you.
4. Being kind to others.
I have lost count how many times you have shown your family and/or friends kindness. While we have instilled kindness as an important quality, you inherently are a kind person in your own right. Most recently at your annual flu shot appointments, you got your flu shot first. No one forced you. But why? Well, this wasn’t because you love getting shots. Your younger sister’s fear prompted you to do this. Therefore, you graciously volunteered and offered yourself up first. By doing this, you allowed your younger sister an extra few moments to relax.
5. Simply, because you are you.
What can I say? But you are my girl through and through. Always. Even when you are a little, grey haired, old lady! Therefore I couldn’t help, but love, adore and be in awe of you now and forever.
Do you have a tween or teen that amazes or inspires you?
Well, Yoplait ® Go Big ™ is inviting you to write a letter to your tween/teen about what makes them amazing and how they inspire you! See Go Big recognizes and wants to elevate how amazing teens are today. Teens today are talented, whether they write music, speak Chinese, code HTML5, the list goes on and on. Go Big was created with these teens in mind so they can crush their snack single-handedly, just like they crush everything in their life single-handedly.
In that end, Yoplait ® Go Big ™ yogurt is a new large yogurt pouch made to fuel the amazing in amazing teens. The innovative grip-and-rip pouch is perfect for on-the-go, and the design looks cool, not at all kiddie. Go Big is made with real fruit, just the right amount of sweetness, and most importantly, the right amount of yogurt to satisfy growing hunger. They also contain no artificial colors, no high fructose corn syrup, are a good source of calcium, are gluten free and are Kosher Dairy. Perfect for all teens.
They are available in two 8-count Variety Packs either Strawberry/Mixed Berry or Peach Mango/Cherry. The suggested retail price is $4.00-$5.39
They can be bought in Grocery Stores, Walmart, and Target, but not available at Publix.
Therefore, if you take Go Big’s challenge by writing your teen a letter, enter for a chance to win the spotlight for your teen by going to the Go Big Facebook page where you can share how your teen inspires you. Go Big will select three teens with amazing stories and give them a platform to show the world!
What are you waiting for?
Will you enter your amazing, inspiring teen in Go Big’s challenge?
Will you get Yoplait ® Go Big ™ yogurt for your teen?
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Meredith Spidel says
Hear hear! Such fantastic advice to instill what we really want our kids to learn. And so crazy to think they are almost tweens! 🙂
Janine says
I know very crazy indeed, but I agree need to instill this advice now more than ever 🙂
Seana Turner says
So great to talk about the positive things that kids do. I agree that much attention gets focused on the problems, but many kind and compassionate gestures are made by young people every day. How wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate these!
Janine says
Aw, thanks again Seana and yes I definitely do agree with you!! 🙂
Dara says
My girl inspires me – great idea to write a letter about it!
Janine says
So do mine and definitely would say write a letter to yours, too and enter. If you do I got my fingers crossed for you 😉
William Holland says
Such a beautiful letter to a beautiful young girl. Save this so she will always have it….what a great treasure for her later years.
Happy Tuesday dear friend. I’ll be posting your interview shortly.
Janine says
Aw, thank you always Bill and I plan on totally saving this one. Also, excited about the interview here, too. Happy Tuesday to you, as well 🙂
The Geeky Mama says
This is such an adorable post! I am so not ready for my boys to grow up! I wish they could just stay the way they were just a little while longer. Thank you so much for sharing with the #happynowlinkup !
Janine says
Aw, thank you for your kind words and am with you on not wanting my girls to grow up too quickly either. Also happy to share with you, too!! 🙂
Amanda Love says
Just that first advice is more than enough but they’re all great. You definitely are a leader and not a follower. Is she almost a tween already? Time surely does fly doesn’t it? BTW we love Yoplait Yogurt at our house too!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much my friend and yup she is just about a tween here! Seriously can’t believe it though!!
Diane Roark says
JANINE,
What a sweet post! I loved your video of your strong confident young lady. You are doing such a great job raising your girls.
Many many blessings,
Diane Roark
Janine says
Hugs to you Diane and thank you always for your kind words, support and friendship, too 🙂
Holly says
What a great post! It’s nice to read so many positive thoughts. #happynowlinkup
Janine says
Aw, thanks Holly and nice to have something positive to share, too!! 🙂
Marilyn says
Thank you for sharing this post with your feelings. Your girls are beautiful young ladies. I enjoy reading about them.
Marilyn
Janine says
Aw, thanks Marilyn always!!! <3
Sheila Qualls says
Such a sweet letter, Janine!
Janine says
Aw, thank you so much Sheila!! <3
Aunt Gloria says
That’s an incredible tribute to Emma! And I have to agree with it all. She is an amazing girl and she is blossoming into a wonderful personality…..talented, smart, friendly, loving, caring, and fun. She may be petite but she is a force of nature! I am impressed with how accomplished she is in sports and in her academic endeavors and how committed she is, at this young age, to her family and friends. You and Kevin are doing a great job of encouraging her to become all she can. Hugs all around……
Janine says
Thanks so much, Aunt Gloria and Emma truly is a special young girl all on her own. I thank god for this and sending you hugs right back at you now, too xoxo 🙂
Leslie says
Wow…that is incredible that your daughter got the first shot just to help her little sister feel better. That’s the type of kindness that the world needs more of.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Leslie and I couldn’t agree more with you 🙂
Kristen Hewitt says
Awww…I love this. They grow up too fast – I have a seven TWEEN as well, and it amazes me how quickly they become their own humans.
Janine says
Aw, thank you and I completely agree with you, too Kristen!! 🙂
Marina @ Parental Journey says
My daughter is just 3 years old, but when I see something like this – I just see how time flies! Beautiful post!
Janine says
Thanks Marina and I really agree about time flying, too!! <3
Tamara says
I’m really shuddering to have an almost tween! Yeesh. At least we have each other!
Janine says
Aw, so glad we do have each other!! 🙂
Tuned In Parents says
Kids and time are definitely in collusion. When you pregnant, time stands still; but as soon as they’re born, you’re shopping for emoji backpacks and taking them to chorus practice before school. 🙂 Smart, beautiful, confident girls–good job, Mom!
Janine says
Couldn’t agree more and thank you for your kind words, too!! 🙂
Nellie says
I can’t even imagine my kid as a tween yet, he certainly acts like one! Fantastic advice to your little (big) girl! 🙂
Janine says
Aw, thanks Nellie and I know definitely hard to believe here, too!!
Bev says
What a sweet letter! Sounds like you are raising an amazing, strong, daughter.
Janine says
Aw, thanks Bev for saying that!! 🙂
Crystal says
Sweet letter. Your daughter is beautiful. Funny how kids grow up so fast – almost like a blink of an eye.
Janine says
I agree and they most definitely grow up in the blink of an eye indeed.
Rea says
What a sweet lovely letter for Emma! I love the part where she went first to get her flu shot. She’s a dear sister. You’re blessed to have both daughters. 🙂
Janine says
Thanks Rea and I still can’t get over the flu shot either here!!