Mom’s Simple “Lunchbox Letters” To Daughter Are The Life Advice We All Need.

It’s hard to remember, especially during teenage years, that parents really do have their kids’ best interests at heart and aren’t just doling out orders and advice for the fun of it. They have decades more life experience, and they’re trying to pass on some hard-won nuggets of knowledge, potentially to save their kids the pain of having to learn the hard way.

When her daughter started the sixth grade, mom Stephanie included a short note in her lunchbox each day, each one containing one of those little nuggets.


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Stephanie’s “lunchbox letters” ran the gamut, from social niceties to family life to affairs of the heart. Her daughter, Skye, loved them so much, she kept them and– years later– posted hundreds of them online, sharing her mom’s advice with the world.

Check out some of our favorite “lunchbox letters” below:

1. Be proud of yourself and have all of the adventures that you want and deserve. This is such a great time for you (even though it’s stressful now).


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2. Try not to let the teasing get to you. Those girls are always going to be jealous of your accomplishments.


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3. If you ever have doubt about a situation, follow your instincts – you have extremely good judgment – and it will serve you well.


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4. I know I said this before in a lunchbox letter, but when one door closes another opens. The hard part is to think about the opportunities of that new open door – and not obsess about what’s closing.


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5. When asking guys to do a chore or help out – Be specific – what, where, when, etc. That way you’ll expect it to be done and you won’t feel compelled to step in and do it yourself.


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6. The things I focus on will be my reality – focus on what you want to be good at!


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7. Keep a journal of milestones in your life so you’ll have good memories of growing up – especially in this house.


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8. Compliment each girl in your class you want to get to know better. Think of something that would make you feel good and say something that important to each girl. Be the observer and see what happens. I don’t think you’ll see overnight results, but keep looking.


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9. Stay as confident as you can while you tread through your teenage years – it’ll be hard because everyone will try to steal your confidence (except your parents) – so you’ll have to be strong.


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10. Love as hard and strong as you can – even if it means loving someone so much you get paralyzed with fear if something bad happens to them.


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11. Don’t smoke, drink, or do drugs – But you can always dye your hair and eat gummy bears!


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12. Know when to spill your guts – know when to keep your mouth shut and learn how to tell the difference in these situations.


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13. Work hard, be confident, do what makes you happy, family first.


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14. Stick by your mom even if she’s really old!


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15. Cooperate with your parents – it’ll get you more privileges in the end.


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16. Don’t put too much stock in messenger conversations – there’s no substitute for being in person.


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17. Count your blessings – not your troubles.


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18. Don’t be quick to judge the girls at school – it’s up to you to look for something good in each one.


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19. Don’t condemn or criticize.


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20. Remember to stay quiet when you’re grumpy. Dad and I are always here to listen to you. Have a sense of humor about stuff going on.


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Stephanie’s letters are still as poignant today as they were when Skye first read them between 2003 and 2004, and her love for her child is still just as evident.

Share this mom’s words of wisdom today!

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