Now I’m a Nonna and have raised my own children, I can relax and watch as my son parents his little girl. I think back to myself as a young mum and I wonder what words of wisdom I could share with her. The things I know now — hmmm… I’m always learning and growing, so I guess even these words will change as I continue my life’s path.

However, here’s what I would say to my young parent self now:

• Don’t wish the time away! The years really DO fly by way too fast! I know that’s hard to believe when you’re feeling sleep-deprived and up to your elbows in baby poo! Enjoy every minute and live in the moment — stop regretting what has passed and worrying about what may come! Live in the now.
• Write things down — guess what, you will forget! So at the end of the day, take a breath and journal some of the little special moments that the day has brought. A smile, a word, a step, a tooth. Something you thought or heard, so many little memories that your 28-year-old son or daughter will delight in reading one day.
• Don’t compare or judge. Everyone has a different parenting journey. Be content with the road you’re on. Grow and learn from others, but don’t compare. Your children are uniquely created perfectly by God and they will not fit into a box, a box that you believe they should sit neatly in, or that someone else tells you they should be fitting. Instead, guide your kids to be who they are and encourage their personality to be all it is intended to be. Whether it’s loud and outgoing, quiet and reserved, creative and artistic, strong and confident. Embrace these beautiful and unique gifts.
• I would also tell my young stay-at-home mum self to dream a little! I would encourage her to start her study journey with maybe one subject a semester, instead of waiting for her kids to grow up. This, I believe, would have given my young self another component to who she was, and given her confidence, passion and a purpose that was outside her family and home life. This purpose would allow her to see life in a more complete and holistic way.

My father used to always say to me when I was a young mum: “The years when your children are young and growing up are the best years of your life!” I can hear those words of wisdom and love with different ears now, and I would love to share them with you.

I will finish with this invitation to you –

If you could write a note to your younger self, what would you say in only two words?