Dear Maddy,
It’s your first year of middle school and this weekend you will have a huge birthday party. Although you are not my daughter, I’m going to give you some advice. As an older relative that you’ve only met once and probably don’t remember at all, you may think you know what I’m going to say. Your parents are wonderful (they are), Remember this year (you’ll forget it in 20 years or less), prepare for the future (very few 12-year-olds know their career path).
I’m not going to say any of that. I am going to say defy your parents, forget the past and school is a joke!
DEFY YOUR PARENTS
You are a teenager and need to start being independent. Your parents are pretty smart, but you may need to defy them ifthey try to baby you too much. Spread your wings and fly! Show them how responsible and capable you are! Defy them by taking on extra chores and making good decisions. In return, they will allow you more freedom and independence so you can do the things YOU want to do!
FORGET THE PAST
Enjoy TODAY! As you get older, you’ll remember less and less as a child. Take lots of pictures. Journal daily. Keep your favorites and throw the rest away (don’t be a hoarder). Live in the present. The past makes you who you are. You don’t know what will happen in the future. You are in control of your life at this moment. Of course, the things you do today will affect your future. Make great decisions, trust in yourself and most of all, have fun!
SCHOOL IS A JOKE
No one will tell you this, but many of the things you learn in school, you will not use later in life — unless you’re on “Jeopardy” or an equivalent game show. Part of making great decisions is getting good grades, but don’t think school teaches you everything. What is important is how to live in this world. Examples include knowing how to cook exactly two meals, one that is fancy for company and one that is not fancy for every day. Make a budget and stick to it. Spend only what you have. Being mature is being OK with not always getting what you want. Always give a portion to charity. Time management is something that will serve you well in school and in real life. There isn’t a class on that, but it’s super important. Trust me! What is even more important is knowing how to book airline tickets. If I learned how to do that at my fancy shmancy private school, I would be at your birthday party, this weekend, telling you in person, instead of writing this dumb letter.
I hope you have the best birthday, ever! Your present is in the mail (it’s a check).
Love, Sharon and the whole family.