For those Mum’s who have daughters starting Year Seven next week, my heart goes out to you. Rest assured, I know EXACTLY how you are feeling. You’re completely panicked about your precious girl finding her own way to school, the fear of wondering how she is going to get herself from lesson to lesson, will she make new friends… The list is completely endless.
I remember this being me last year, please take it from me, I promise you she will be fine. Absolutely fine. Your daughter will survive that first day, find themselves embracing all that secondary school has to offer and be delighted to make new friends. She will come home excited and full of tales about how great it was and that she feels so grown up…
You will reach the end of Year Seven much quicker than you hoped and will look back on the year and think what on earth was I worried about…
The one thing you want to do though, is give your daughter lots of advice before that first day arrives. Tell her about all the things that will stand her in good stead. If you’re like me you will have so much you want to say about how you’re feeling and the important life skills you want her to remember through her secondary years. But you don’t want to nag, lecture or basically sound like you’re a moaning Mum…
So this time last year, I sat down and wrote Bella a letter. I left it on her bed for her to find and asked her to pin it to her noticeboard after she’d read it.
It was a letter that I wrote whilst crying hysterically. When Bella found it she cried and we hugged and we shared a very special moment.
To this day, I still remind Bella to look at this letter and read it when waters are slightly choppy or if I think she needs to remember some of the advice I gave.
Here it is, I hope you enjoy it. I kind of feel like I’m bearing my soul, but I want other Mum’s to read it and know they’re not alone… You will survive this. It’s singularly the most scary part of being a Mum I’ve had to go through, letting go and cutting that tie every so slightly. Loosing control just a little bit more…
Trust me it all works out fine, you will be closer in so many different ways and will gain the best of friends in your little girl.
Much love, Kelly xxxx
To my darling Bella,
This is just a little note to say thank you so much for a summer full of amazing memories and magic moments that I’ll treasure always. It’s been the best summer that I’ve ever had and being able to spend so much time with you has been truly special. I feel we’ve become closer than ever and you’ve made me laugh, smile and taught me amazing things about you.
Tomorrow is a massive day for you and it’s one that you’ll remember forever. As you start secondary school, I look at you and feel so proud of you that I could burst. You’re growing into a very beautiful and special young lady. I know that you will make the most amazing memories over the next few years and that you will grow and develop even more. Secondary school will be fun and amazing and you’ll have the best time ever. There is so much for you to look forward to.
There are just a few things that I want to help you to remember.
– Choose your friends wisely. You are who you hang around with. Please don’t think that it means you can’t talk to people who may not be your best friends. But those you choose to keep close and treasure as friends need to be good people just like you.
– Keep smiling. Remember to smile and be enthusiastic as this will get you far. Everybody loves your enthusiasm and you’ve a beautiful smile which you shouldn’t hide.
– You’re smart! You can do so much more than you know. Sometimes your confidence in your knowledge has held you back. There is no need for this – you can do this! This is your chance for a fresh start.
– Work hard. Always give everything 100% (even PE – lol!). That’s all anyone can ever ask of you and nobody will expect anything more.
– Be organised. Try and keep things neat and tidy so that you can find them easily and remember to sort your stuff ready for the next day the evening before (not just before you go to bed!).
– Stay modest. Nobody likes someone that brags. Be confident in your abilities and talents and be proud of all that you achieve. But nobody likes someone that just talks about themselves. I know you’d never do this, but it’s a little reminder J
– You’re beautiful and perfect. Some people will choose to be unpleasant. This normally stems from them being insecure with who they are and being jealous. Take people who are unkind as a positive. It means you’re great and they wish they could be as good as you. Choose to ignore them – they aren’t worth your energy.
– Enjoy it! Most of all enjoy this amazing journey and make lots of amazing memories.
I love you more than you’ll ever know and hope that you remember I am always here for you. Take care on this journey and don’t forget how very much I love you.
My love always,
Mummy
xxxxxx