Turning 18: Best Advice Every Mother Should Tell Their Daughters In 2024
Dear Mothers, Sisters, and Matriarchs,
We all know that turning 18 is a major milestone in every young woman’s life. We’ve all been there and we know how important this is, as it’s the age when anyone is legally considered an adult. As one who has been there, I understand how daunting this can be for both mothers and daughters, as there can be a lot of pressure to make the right decisions to set oneself up for a successful and fruitful journey ahead.
As your daughter turns 18, Although experts say that they may not feel any different, it is also a time to be faced with new challenges and responsibilities. And as a mother, it is your duty to guide and support your daughter as she navigates through this new phase of life. In this article, I will provide some solid advice that mothers can give to their daughters as they turn 18 in 2023.
Information Parents Need to Know For a Child Turning 18
1. Be True to Yourself
As your daughter enters adulthood, she will be faced with many decisions that will shape her future. It’s important to remind her to stay true to herself and to always follow her heart. Encourage her to make choices that align with her values and beliefs. Remind her that it’s okay to say no and to stand up for what she believes in.
2. Be Responsible
With adulthood comes responsibility. Your daughter will now be responsible for her own actions and decisions. Teach her to be responsible with her finances, to make a budget, and to save for her future. Encourage her to be responsible for her health by eating healthy and exercising regularly. Also, teach her to be responsible with her relationships and to always treat others with respect.
3. Pursue Your Dreams
Dreams are valid, and what would our lives be without them? We’d all be without hope and be really empty. As your daughter enters adulthood, she may have many dreams and aspirations. Encourage her to pursue her dreams and to never give up. Remind her that with hard work and dedication, she can achieve anything she sets her mind to. Encourage her to take risks and to step out of her comfort zone. Support her in every way possible and help her to achieve her goals.
4. Build a Strong Support System
As your daughter enters adulthood, she needs to build a strong support system. Encourage her to surround herself with positive people who will uplift and support her. Teach her the importance of building relationships and never burn bridges. Remind her that family is always there to support her no matter what.
5. Take Care of Yourself
Let her know that she will face many challenges and unprecedented circumstances no matter how careful she might try to be to avoid them. It’d not be her fault, it’s just life. Encourage her to take care of herself both physically and mentally. Teach her to prioritize self-care and to take time for herself. Encourage her to seek help if she needs it and to never be afraid to ask for help.
6. Be Open-minded
An open-minded heart is the breeding ground for innovation. And as a young, wide-eyed adult, she will be exposed to different cultures, beliefs, and lifestyles. Encourage her to be open-minded and embrace diversity. Teach her to respect others’ opinions and to never judge others. Remind her that everyone is unique and special in their own way.
7. Be Independent
As your daughter enters adulthood, she needs to become independent. Teach her to make her own decisions and to take responsibility for her own life. Encourage her to take charge of her future and to never rely on others to make decisions for her.
8. Learn From Your Mistakes
Teach her to learn from her mistakes and never repeat them. Remind her that mistakes are a part of life and that it’s okay to fail. Encourage her to use her mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow.
9. Believe in Yourself
Learning to believe In oneself is so important. Your daughter might face many challenges and obstacles. Encourage her to believe in herself and to never give up. Remind her that she is capable of achieving anything she sets her mind to. Teach her to have faith in herself and to never doubt her abilities.
10. Embrace Change
The bedrock of adulthood is change, and anyone who fails to embrace change might just be left behind. Encourage her to embrace change and to see it as an opportunity for growth. Teach her to be flexible and adaptable to change. Remind her that change is a part of life and that although it can be scary and uncertain, it can also bring new experiences and opportunities. Help her to develop a positive mindset towards change, and to focus on the potential benefits rather than the potential risks. Encourage her to set goals and be proactive in creating the life she wants, even in the face of change. Above all, let her know that you are there to support and guide her through whatever changes may come her way.
11. Talk About Financial Prudence
If you’re a parent of a daughter who is turning 18, there are many things that you can do to help her become financially independent. One of the best ways to do this is by teaching her how to manage her money and make good decisions about spending it. You should also talk about saving for emergencies, as well as for future goals like buying a car or going to college. Your daughter will likely have access to credit cards at some point during her teen years–if not now then later in life when she gets older–so it’s important that you teach her about responsible use before she gets carried away by the awe of newfound independence.
When You Turn 18: A Practical Guide for Teenagers
1. Continue with School or Further Education
There is nothing more important than continuing education; this will help keep your mind sharp and provide growth opportunities later in life when jobs may require new skill sets or knowledge bases. Don’t let yourself fall behind just because high school ended–keep learning!
2. Pursue Interests Outside of Academics if Possible
There are so many different things out there waiting for us! Whether it be sports teams (which can also be great social outlets), or clubs related specifically toward hobbies like art or music appreciation societies where members share common interests through weekly meetings/events held at local venues around town…the possibilities really do exist within every community across the world. Find them, and connect to them.
3. Set Goals and Learn From Your Mistakes
You don’t have to be perfect all the time, but it’s important to set goals and try your best at everything that comes your way. If something doesn’t work out as planned, take a moment to reflect on what went wrong and how you could do better next time.
4. Take Risks–But Only When They’re Worth it!
It’s important that we all push ourselves out of our comfort zones sometimes so we can grow as people and experience new things in life; however, there are times when taking risks isn’t worth it–and those are times when we should think twice before doing something dangerous or stupid (like getting drunk).
5. Take Care of Your Health
“Health is wealth” is an old saying, but it’s true. You’ll be making decisions about your body and health for the rest of your life, so it’s important to start on the right foot. As an adult, it’s important that you know how to take care of yourself so that you can live a long and happy life. One way to do this is by making sure that your body is healthy enough so that it doesn’t have any problems in the future. This might mean eating right or exercising regularly, but there are also other things we should think about too: mental health issues like depression or anxiety; smoking cigarettes which can cause lung cancer; alcohol abuse which leads to liver disease.
6. Do Not Smoke
Smoking is not only dangerous but only does it damage your lungs and skin, but studies have shown that smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop certain cancers and heart disease. Turning 18 might be good grounds to feed your impulse on the matter, but you shouldn’t let that lure you into smoking.
7. Prioritize Self-care
Take care of yourself more than ever before. That means eating well and exercising regularly so that your body stays healthy and strong; sleeping enough so that your mind is rested; practicing self-care activities like taking baths or going for walks outside when possible; making sure that any mental health issues are being addressed by professionals if necessary (and not just with friends); getting enough social support from family members or close friends who will listen without judging; seeking out other sources of support like therapy groups or online communities if needed…the list goes on!
8. Get Help if Something Feels Wrong
If something is bothering you or making life difficult for too long, reach out for support from friends or family members who understand what’s going on in your life right now–or go see a professional counselor at school or in your community! They will be able to give good advice on how best to cope with any challenges that come up during this big transition period in life (which may include things like feeling overwhelmed by emotions).
9. Get Enough Social Support
Having people around us who care about us makes us happier overall because it helps us feel connected in our communities without having any negative consequences such as stress-related illnesses caused by isolation from others due to lack thereof
10. Sex and Romance
As you turn 18, it’s important to remember that relationships are about more than just sex and romance. Relationships are also about respect, setting boundaries and keeping the relationship healthy and strong.
Relationships should be based on mutual trust, honesty and respect for each other’s feelings.
If one person in a relationship does not respect the other person or their feelings, then it is likely that this lack of respect will cause problems in the future.
11. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them
Don’t be afraid to say no when someone asks you to do something that goes against what you believe in or makes you uncomfortable. Don’t let peer pressure get in the way of making smart decisions for yourself and others around you
More Advice For Teenagers Turning 18
- Make time for your family: Your family will always be there for you, so make time for them. Spend quality time with your parents, siblings, and grandparents.
- Be true to yourself: Don’t try to be someone you’re not to fit in with others. Be true to yourself, and you’ll attract people who appreciate you for who you are.
- Learn to say no: It’s okay to say no sometimes. You don’t have to please everyone, and it’s important to set boundaries and protect your time and energy.
- Travel: Traveling is one of the best ways to broaden your horizons and gain new perspectives. Explore new places, meet new people, and learn about different cultures.
- Find a hobby: Find a hobby that you’re passionate about and make time for it. It’s an excellent way to de-stress and do something you enjoy.
- Volunteer: Giving back to your community is rewarding and fulfilling. Volunteer your time and skills to help those in need.
- Be kind: Kindness is a powerful force that can make a big difference in the world. Be kind to others, and it will come back to you tenfold.
- Set goals: Set goals for yourself and work towards them. It’s essential to have something to strive for and a sense of purpose.
- Learn to cook: Cooking is a valuable skill that will come in handy throughout your life. Learn to cook healthy meals and experiment with new recipes.
- Embrace failure: Failure is not the end of the world. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone to success.
- Love yourself: Last but not least, love yourself. You are unique, beautiful, and worthy of love and respect. Treat yourself with kindness and compassion.
All images are sourced from unsplash.com
The one who spells Afrolady from the larynx of her pen. She’s a high spirited, cultured and ingenuous African child, whose writing drops an unimaginative creative splash on history and carves the indignation and memories of Black women.