A Message For My Children

In the future I may have children and I thought it would be good idea for me to write down a message for them to read when they are thinking about where their lives are heading. I thought I'd write it from the perspective of the 18 year old me so that they can relate to it more, as we all know how teenagers feel when parents try to relate to our lives.

Dear Son/Daughter,
                                                You are now deciding upon your future, whether or not to go to university, what career you want to pursue, and creating a plan for your life. I understand that this is a difficult time for you, you are starting to split from childhood friends, you have fears about whether or not you are good enough, you have the pressure of exams and you may be scared about growing up too fast. I know at this point in time, it may seem like everything is happening at 150 miles an hour and that maybe you can't handle it. All I know is, you can.

I have been where you are now, I know it's hard to believe, but I faced all those things you are facing right now (unless you are my daughter, in which case you have a few more things on your plate). If I could go back in time and give myself some advice on what to do, it would have helped me so much to enjoy the end of that chapter. But seeing as though time travel is not possible (or is it yet?) I would like to pass on that advice to you instead.

1) Enjoy yourself. I know it seems cliché, but it's true. Instead of worrying about petty little things, enjoy what little time you have left, because believe it or not, these times right now will be the ones you miss the most. So if you argue with your friend, be the bigger person, sort it out and create memories that will last a life time.

2) Live. This is the time, when you are free. Although you may think you have so much responsibility, wait until you have to start paying rent, phone bills, buying your own shopping etc... So instead of sitting around indoors watching TV, or playing on your phone, go outside and live a little. Go for a bike ride with your mates, go play footie at the beach, do the things that you may not always get the chance to do, because when you have a full time job, or you have a pile of university work to do, or a house full of children, it's harder to hang around with your mates.

3) Dream. Don't be afraid to tackle the biggest dream you have, because if you don't you will have a lifetime of regrets. Make sure that what you are doing with your life, is something that will make you happy for the rest of your life. Know that I will support you in anything you ever want to do, and also know that anything is achievable.

When you have finished reading this, if you have any questions feel free to come and talk to me.

Love 
     Dad x

Personally I think we should all write one of these to our future children, because at least then they can really understand that we can relate.