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Mom’s List Of “Don’ts” For Her Daughter Is Going Viral, And Everyone Must Read It
One mom is inspiring parents across the internet with this powerful letter that she wrote to her five-year-old daughter.
“Don’t apologize when someone else bumps into you,” reads the letter, written by Portland-based blogger Toni Hammer who recently posted it on Facebook. “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.”
The letter goes on to list various things that her daughter shouldn’t do, but instead of being restrictive, the purpose of the letter is to empower her daughter. “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,” said Toni. “Someone who is a lover of justice and believes change can happen.”
Toni decided to write the letter because her daughter was starting kindergarten this year and she didn’t want her to have the same experience that she did when she was at school. “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 said.
Scroll down for the full letter. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
RELATED:
One mom is inspiring parents across the internet with this powerful letter that she wrote to her daughter
“Don’t apologize for being who you are. Be brave and bold and beautiful. Be unapologetically you”
Some people were quick to agree with her letter
Other people had slightly different opinions
What do you think?
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What do you think ?
Kat Weasel 8 years ago
Also known as: stand up for yourself but don't be an a*****e about it. I get where the mother is coming from though, girls in general aren't taught that, sadly
BREAK YOUr perceptions 8 years ago
of all the comments i see for people taking issue, i feel like they are missing the point. this is about restoring your right to live your life without outside influence. nothing about what the mother said was to do an about face and be rude. its simply *stand up for yourself and don't let others push you around*
James Brigham (Bigg) Bunyon 8 years ago
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Ironcat_xox 8 years ago
Every day it gets harder and harder not to offend people on the internet. Overall good message. It's not perfect. Get over it.
Allison G. 8 years ago
I love her rules! I also think Lynette LaRue's is a good follow-up, because sometimes we need to meet others half-way. But in a world where women are still finding a voice, you go girl! Say no! Don't apologise if you aren't sorry or it wasn't your fault! That's something I still struggle with at 30!
Zori the degu 8 years ago
It's absolutely brilliant. She must be great mother. I do hope that her daughter reads it (if she can) interprets the letter correctly and follows all those don'ts during her childhood and teenage years. She'd go far like that.
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
I stopped at "you deserve respect." For a kid that age, she needs to be learning that respect is EARNED, not given freely...
John Ashley 8 years ago
No, your daughter does not have a right to be heard. She has right to say what she wants, but no one is obligated to listen.
Ben Smith 8 years ago
This is really advice for a person going off to college soon - good advice really. Most of these don't apply to a small child and frankly, aren't very practical.
Aunt Messy 8 years ago
This is something that your kids should know and be able to do with confidence LONG before they start kindergarten.
Load More Replies...
Kat Weasel 8 years ago
Also known as: stand up for yourself but don't be an a*****e about it. I get where the mother is coming from though, girls in general aren't taught that, sadly
BREAK YOUr perceptions 8 years ago
of all the comments i see for people taking issue, i feel like they are missing the point. this is about restoring your right to live your life without outside influence. nothing about what the mother said was to do an about face and be rude. its simply *stand up for yourself and don't let others push you around*
James Brigham (Bigg) Bunyon 8 years ago
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Load More Replies... Ironcat_xox 8 years ago
Every day it gets harder and harder not to offend people on the internet. Overall good message. It's not perfect. Get over it.
Allison G. 8 years ago
I love her rules! I also think Lynette LaRue's is a good follow-up, because sometimes we need to meet others half-way. But in a world where women are still finding a voice, you go girl! Say no! Don't apologise if you aren't sorry or it wasn't your fault! That's something I still struggle with at 30!
Zori the degu 8 years ago
It's absolutely brilliant. She must be great mother. I do hope that her daughter reads it (if she can) interprets the letter correctly and follows all those don'ts during her childhood and teenage years. She'd go far like that.
Celestial Lynx 8 years ago
I stopped at "you deserve respect." For a kid that age, she needs to be learning that respect is EARNED, not given freely...
John Ashley 8 years ago
No, your daughter does not have a right to be heard. She has right to say what she wants, but no one is obligated to listen.
Ben Smith 8 years ago
This is really advice for a person going off to college soon - good advice really. Most of these don't apply to a small child and frankly, aren't very practical.
Aunt Messy 8 years ago
This is something that your kids should know and be able to do with confidence LONG before they start kindergarten.
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