This is my younger daughter:
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This is my wonderfully eccentric child. |
She is artistically and musically-inclined, sports an unusual hairstyle, dresses like a hipster and has a few piercings, one of them on her nose. And she does all this with my blessing.
Recently she stated that she is very surprised that I’m okay with these ‘unique’ and odd choices to which I replied “Why wouldn’t I be? You get good grades, you don’t drink alcohol or do drugs, you’re responsible and focused, you’ve never been in trouble at school or with the law, and you’re a happy and well rounded young girl. And I’m going to moan over what colour or style your hair is, and about the few piercings you have?”
Which brings me to the one rule that I try to live by:
Don’t sweat the small stuff.
(Incidentally, I love the look my daughter has chosen. She is not afraid to stand apart from the crowd and express herself. I've tried to raise my girls to walk to the beat of their own drum, and it seems like this 17-year-old is doing just that.)
What one rule do you try to live by?
Never to judge and when I don't follow it I'm miserable...You're a wonderful mom, and you have a beautiful daughter...
ReplyDeleteThat is a good rule to live by, Lorraine. Don't judge.... It's hard to do sometimes, but a wonderful way to live.
DeleteShe's so pretty! And a good kid!
ReplyDeleteI try to 'do the right thing' by all around me.
That is a great rule to live by, Christine. The world would be a better place if everyone did that. Just do the right thing...
DeleteShe's an adorable young lady, too. Good work, Mom.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Robyn. She's a good kid. No complaints from me.
Delete"Be not another if thou canst be thyself." That's my motto to live by and has been ever since I was young.
ReplyDeleteGreat quote! I love it. And I'm with you on that.
DeleteKudos to you for supporting your daughter in her individualism! My lovely niece Sara is sporting a nose ring and has tats. She too, is an amazing young woman. Vive la difference! I think it's important to celebrate confidence and uniqueness is our young people. I'm with Debra. I march to the beat of my own drum and always have.
ReplyDeleteYou got it, Louise...Vive la difference! I love when I see young people that stand apart from the crowd. They are individualistic, and very confident. And marching to the beat of your own drum is something that is extremely important to me.
DeleteOh Martha...she is adorable♥️
ReplyDeleteMy youngest daughter Erika...has always been her own individual...and I embrace that!
Any tattoos??? hahaha!
Cheers!
Linda :o)
No tattoos...yet. She wants one but I told her to wait until she is eighteen. Just to be sure that she really wants to do this. It's a real job to remove it after it's done. In a few months, I have a feeling she'll be getting to that tattoo.
DeleteI think Erika probably has about 10!
DeleteOne is my handwriting....the tattoo artist did a great job!
Your daughter is a very attractive woman. I like your rule...don't sweat the small stuff. As a teacher this rule was everything. By the way my son has a few tattoos which he got after he left home.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Red. She's a great girl all around. Not sweating the small stuff makes it much easier to get through this life. My daughter is interested in tattoos, but I told her to decide for sure when she's eighteen. Just to give her some time to know for sure whether this is for her or not.
DeleteThe golden rule
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something I subscribe to!
DeleteYour daughter is gorgeous! xo
ReplyDelete"Be Good to One Another" The same thing I want written on my tombstone. :-)
That's a great one, Birdie! If everyone did that, there'd be peace.
DeleteShe's not afraid to stand out from the crowd 'because' she's so well-rounded.
ReplyDeleteBravo to her mother :)
Oh, and I love the look too!
You got it, Wendy. She is a very confident young girl, and she doesn't need anyone's approval for doing what she loves to do, or looking the way she wants to look. I am so proud of her.
DeleteI LOVE the 'beat' of her drum, Martha! What a beauty she is. Must feel so good when you see that she has turned out so well, Martha.She is very fortunate to have you as her mother.
ReplyDeleteOne rule I live by? Well I guess it would be: 'What is worth doing, is worth doing well.'
Couldn't resist commenting, Jim! Do you know what grief this rule causes a perfectionist? LOL! It was one of my father's favorite sayings!
DeleteYou bet, Jim! I am very proud of her. And I hope she continues to walk to the beat of her own drum.
DeleteThat's a great rule to live by!
Hahahha...oh, Louise :)
"Live every day like it's your last." Your daughter is beautiful and I love her hair.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great way to live life; never taking anything for granted!
DeleteShe is a lovely girl, Martha and you have a wonderful attitude towards child rearing (teen-age rearing)!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Francie. I try to remember what it was like being that age, and then apply that to parenting. It makes everything so much easier.
DeleteHi Martha,
ReplyDeleteNo, you're not imagining this. Yes, I actually managed to come over and leave a comment :)
Good for your daughter! I like her making her statement of personal identity.
I try to live by the rule of never allowing negativity to sabotage my right to a peaceful life.
Lovely to see you, Martha.
Gary :)
Gary...is that you? [puts on reading glasses] It IS you! So nice to see you here. I know it's crazy busy on your end, and I really appreciate you taking the time to stop by and say hello :) You are always welcome to come hang out here whenever you've got the time.
DeleteYes, my daughter does make her statement of personal identity, and that's something that I wholeheartedly support!
It's great to see you, Gary :)
Take care!
Wonderful portrait photo of a beautiful young lady. You're so correct, since she has a good head on her shoulders, is well adjusted and happy then the small stuff is of no importance.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comment, and for stopping by! Yes, no reason to sweat the small stuff when no real problems are around. That would be silly!
Deletenice blog!
ReplyDeleteThank you! And thanks for stopping by. Drop in for a visit whenever you'd like. It's always nice to see new bloggers here.
DeleteThat is wonderful. So glad you let her be her. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.
ReplyDeleteThere is no other way for me! I love individuality, and it makes me happy that she is on that road. She's a great kid, and having some fun with her hair is kind of cool.
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