I’m Always Listening

I’m trying to teach my daughter the things I wish I had learned more deeply growing up.

Like not engaging when someone is looking for drama.

Like understanding that standing up for yourself and setting boundaries isn’t mean — it’s healthy.

Like knowing that in the business world, being strong-minded and opinionated might get you labeled “bossy” or “stubborn”… while your male counterparts are called “confident” or “natural leaders.”

And when one of my kids comes to me asking for advice, I’ve learned to pause. Sometimes I need a few hours. Sometimes I need a night to sleep on it before I offer any motherly wisdom.

Because the truth is — I still get it wrong sometimes.

Sometimes I choose the easy path instead of the hard one.

Sometimes my perspective is limited.

Sometimes I’m still learning the lesson right alongside them.

And I know they’ll do the same one day. They’ll remember the things I’ve said and think, “Yeah, that was solid advice.”

And other times they’ll think, “Wow… Mom missed the mark on that one.”

That’s the human part.

We are all doing this for the first time.

We are all doing the best we can with what we have in the moment.

More than anything, I hope they always remember this:

I love them.

I’m listening.

I may not always have the perfect answer — but I will always show up and try.