Every mother wants their daughter to have the best life. To grow up strong, smart, happy and independent. To speak their mind and raise their voice when they feel like they should be heard. Ask any mom and this is what she would say.
One mom, a blogger named Toni Hammer, wrote a letter to her daughter that is so inspiring it has been shared over 5,000 times.
Toni Hammer has a 5-year-old daughter and a 4-year-old son. Her daughter was starting kindergarten this year, and it was causing a lot of anxiety for her — Hammer that is. That’s because school was difficult for Hammer as a child — she didn’t want her daughter to experience that same hardship.
“I was picked on a lot as a kid and I hate the idea of her going through what I did. I know it won’t be long before someone tries to make her feel ‘less than’ and I want her to face it with more confidence then I had at that age,” she told HuffingtonPost.
“I want to raise a daughter who is as confident as she is kind, who fights for those who can’t fight for themselves, who isn’t afraid to speak her mind and work hard to make the world a better place,” the mom said. “Someone who is a lover of justice and believes change can happen.”
Having grown up feeling ‘different’ and picked on as a child, Hammer wanted to write her letter to inspire and encourage not only her daughter but anyone who has ever felt that way.
Hammer’s letter reads:
“To my daughter,
Don’t apologize when someone else bumps into you.
Don’t say “sorry to be such a pain.” You’re not a pain. You’re a person with thoughts and feelings who deserves respect.
Don’t make up reasons as to why you can’t go out with a guy you don’t wanna go out with. You don’t owe anyone an explanation. A simple “no thanks” should be acceptable.
Don’t overthink what you eat in front of people. If you’re hungry, eat, and eat what you want. If you want pizza, don’t get a salad just because other people are around. Order the damn pizza.
Don’t keep your hair long to make someone else happy.
Don’t wear a dress if you don’t want to.
Don’t stay home because you don’t have anyone to go out with. Take yourself out. Have experiences by yourself and for yourself.
Don’t hold back your tears. Crying means you’re feeling something that needs to get out. It’s not a weakness. It’s being human.
Don’t smile because someone told you to.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at your own jokes.
Don’t say “yes” to be polite. Say “no” because it’s your life.
Don’t hide your opinions. Speak up and speak loudly. You should be heard.
Don’t apologize for being who you are. Be brave and bold and beautiful. Be unapologetically you.”
Since her letter, posted on Facebook, has gone viral — people were praising Hammer for her well-written and poignant words.
Other people thought that Hammer’s letter was a bit too overbearing and others had a few more tips to add.
Hammer’s entire Facebook post of her letter to her daughter is below. What do you think about Hammer’s motherly advice?
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
