Girls To Grow

Nurturing moms in their walk with God

  • Home
  • About
  • Parenting
  • Resources
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • Email Sign Up

A Letter to My Teenage Daughter: I Think One Day You’ll Understand

February 6, 2019 by Tracey 9 Comments

Dear Daughter,

The doctors and nurses don’t tell you when you leave the hospital with a tiny newborn baby all that lies ahead of you as a mom. And that’s probably a good thing…

All these years later, we’ve landed in the middle of your teenage years. We’re learning to walk a tight rope between our parental input and your independence.

It’s not easy for any of us. The wisdom that we’ve gained from years of living and your desire to make your own choices clash at times.

And even when you dutifully (and sometimes sweetly) follow our directives, I know you don’t necessarily understand.

You don’t understand…

~ why I remind you to “be careful” nearly every time you get behind the wheel of the car.

~why I want you to text and let me know when you’re leaving the school to drive home after a late night ball game.

~why I said “no” to that sleepover, and the only excuse I had to give you was that it just didn’t feel right.

~why I probably drive you crazy with how often I ask if you’re okay.

~why I want to know where you’re going and who with…all the time.

~why I won’t let you watch that movie or listen to that song.

~why your cellphone has to be in a basket in the kitchen by 10pm.

~why we’ve taught you to budget and work a job instead of just handing you money.

~why I buy you books titled Liked: Whose Approval Are You Living For and send you blog posts about not settling for bad relationships and ask you to read them.

~why I pray for you so often (though I know I should be on my knees even more).

When, if God wills it, you have a newborn of your own, you’ll begin to understand. When that cuddly baby becomes a toddler, then a kindergartener, you’ll get it even more.

And when that 16-year-old, license in hand, heads out the door to drive all by herself for the first time, then, my sweet daughter, you will understand.

As hard as it is to believe today, I see you doing many of the same things that right now you think you’ll never do as a mom.

Because your heart will be like mine…overflowing with love for a nearly grown child whom you want desperately to protect from the hurts of life and the scars of sin. A child for whom you want only the best.

And in the process of learning to let go, you, as I do, will find yourself leaning ever more on the God who ultimately has control and who loves that child more than you ever could.

So thank you, in these days when you don’t understand, for being patient with your dad and I. We’re all together in this new stage of the growing-up journey.

You’ll make mistakes, and so will we. But if we keep our relationships with God and with each other front and center, we’ll make this transition successfully. We’ll see you go on to become the amazing adult we know you can be.

Then one day, my dear, I believe you’ll understand. Because you’ll see for yourself that all we did stemmed from a heart of love for the precious daughter you are.

Love,

Mom

Related posts:

  • A Letter to My Teenage Daughter: God Made You Special
  • A Letter to My Teenage Daughter: Hold On to Your Heart
  • 6 Pieces of Advice for a Daughter Who’s Beginning Her Life’s Voyage
Sign up below to receive new posts by email.
Share on Facebook
Facebook
Pin on Pinterest
Pinterest
Tweet about this on Twitter
Twitter
Email this to someone
email
Print this page
Print

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Filed Under: Parent

Comments

  1. Nikki says

    February 6, 2019 at 5:28 pm

    What a beautiful letter! Thank you for sharing it with us!

    I think you sound like a wonderful mother, strict and caring at the same time. Of course, I’m on the same side of things as you are. 🙂

    Reply
    • Tracey says

      February 6, 2019 at 5:37 pm

      What a sweet compliment, thank you!! Yes, it’s a tricky balance, but I believe that if our children know our hearts are for them, they’re a lot more likely to accept our limits and instructions, even when they don’t understand.

      Reply
  2. Sues says

    February 7, 2019 at 11:20 am

    Misty eyed, nodding in nonstop agreement!!!

    Reply
    • Tracey says

      February 7, 2019 at 1:00 pm

      My sweet friend, I know you are right there behind me in this parenting journey!! Kids growing up so very fast!

      Reply
  3. Brittany says

    February 10, 2019 at 1:55 pm

    This letter is so beautiful. My babies aren’t teenagers yet, but I share so many of these same sentiments.

    Reply
  4. Ruthie says

    May 5, 2020 at 9:12 am

    My goodness, I am balling crying right now. What a beautiful letter and very well written. I have a 16 (17 in a month) and a 15 year old. Both girls.!

    This letter is so moving. Thank you for sharing it. “Sons are an inheritance from Jehovah(God) , the fruit of the womb is a reward. (Psalm 127:3)

    How true and accurate are your penned words I say those words so often. “You don’t understand, I do it for your own good!” You are right tho, God loves them even more then we do (imagine that) we can only have faith that we gave them the foundation to be productive, loving Creatures in the future and they will!!
    God bless!

    Reply
    • Tracey says

      May 5, 2020 at 11:03 am

      So wonderful to hear from you!! I appreciate your kind words. It sounds like your two girls are approximately two years apart, as are ours, at 19 and 17. For me as a mom, the teen years have had some difficult moments, so I lean on the faith you mention – trusting that God loves them and will continue to guide them and grow them in their relationship with Him.

      Thanks for taking the time to comment, and have a wonderful day!!

      Reply
  5. Kala Rani says

    September 27, 2020 at 5:53 am

    It’s more obvious that these sentiments move with each mother in the universe…loved the way u have brought all these in words for readers that connect to…I’m a mother of 2 lill girls…1st daughter is 2 n half years n the other is just 2 months old …my heart is already stabbed with much much love n at the same time anxious too.. hopefully everything in almighty hands..

    Reply
    • Tracey says

      September 27, 2020 at 9:10 am

      So thankful we can trust a God who loves our children even more than we do!! Thanks for visiting the blog and taking the time to comment. Have a great day!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Welcome! I'm Tracey, wife and mom to two teenage girls. I seek to help Christian moms raise children who know, love, and serve God by sharing Biblical wisdom, helpful tips, and practical advice. Read More…

Let’s Connect!

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Top Posts

  • 10 "Don'ts" for Moms of Teenage Girls
  • A Letter to My Teenage Daughter: I Think One Day You'll Understand
  • 13 Things I Want My 13 Year-Old Daughter to Know
  • 10 Simple But Powerful Pieces of Life Advice for Teenagers (that work for their parents, too)
  • A Letter to My Teenage Daughter: God Made You Special

Copyright © 2021 · Lifestyle Pro Child Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in