What I hope to teach my daughter

I am slowly learning how different things are for teenage girls in comparison to when I was a teenager. Now don't get me wrong, I won't put anything on teenage boys or girls 100%, I will just say that they are growing up much faster than I did.

Dating is very different now and I want to be prepared to guide Danielle when the time comes. (Many years from now!!!)

I want her to know her own self worth. I want her to get that from within and not feel like she needs to have a boy validate it.

I want her to let prospective suitors know what she expects of them and what they should expect from her right from the start.

I want her to let them know up front where she will draw the line.

I want her to have the strength to let someone go who is undeserving of her and her heart even if it breaks that same heart a little bit.

I want her to come to me or Joe or any of her Aunt's or older cousins that she feel comfortable with if she needs to talk...before it's too late.

I want her to chose friends who have her best interests at heart and I want them to all look out for each other when it comes to boys.

I want her to realize the importance of someone liking you from the neck up well before they like you from the neck down - and I hope she has clarity on that well before she needs it.

I want her to realize that if a man is not willing to sweat for her...she shouldn't let him sweat on her. (A quote from my friend Andre's Pastor)

I want to save her from a major "snake bite" type of heartbreak...even though I know I may not be able to.

With all of that said I certainly understand I can only do the best I can as her mom and the rest will be up to her - I know that there is a boy that may have the power to change or influence everything I have tried to teach her and that is absolutely the hardest part.