From A Single Mother, Thank You Letter To My Daughter: You Saved Me

Five years ago, when my life was going through a downward spiral, you happened. If I’m being honest, I was not that mother who cried in happiness upon seeing the two lines on the pregnancy kit. I was not prepared to be a mother at all. I was not even in a place to handle myself, and the very thought of being solely responsible for a tiny human being freaked me out.

But soon I realised the universe wouldn’t have blessed me with something as precious as another life if I didn’t deserve it. You were meant to be my little bundle of joy, and I was meant to be the mother that you deserved.

Letter To My Daughter 

Nine months later, you were born—my little doppelganger! You are the best of me, and everything is perfect. When the doctor laid you on my breast as soon as you popped out of me, all I could think of was being the best mother that I could be for you.

The world said that I would fail as I was planning on single-parenting a girl child. But here we are, four years later, proving to the world that they were wrong. After all, what can girls not achieve when we have each other’s backs? And you have been having mine since the moment you were born! Being the mother of a girl child has been the greatest blessing in my life.

Becoming your mother was the game-changing moment in my life. Having a daughter turned me into the strong, resilient, confident, and bold woman that I am today. Being a girl momma has been pushing me to get up every time I slip, because if I don't, what will that teach you? Won’t you fall prey to the patriarchal beliefs that confine women to following regressive norms?

People said that I was going to ruin your life by choosing my happiness, well-being, and peace over being a “good woman” according to societal standards. But I choose myself, not just for me but for you. I wanted you to know that there’s nothing women cannot do from the moment you were born. I wanted you to grow up with a strong mother who loves and respects herself. I wanted you to understand that when a woman puts her heart and soul into something, she’ll achieve it no matter what.

I want you to grow up into a woman who values self-love, self-worth, and sisterhood. I want you to know that it’s okay to be unconventional, even if people call you “arrogant,” “selfish,” “ambitious,” "uncultured,” etc. It’s all fair as long as you are living life your way.

You’re too young to understand this now. But as you grow up, the world will call you names, tell you that you are weak and brittle, belittle, ridicule, criticise, and even hurt you. But you know what?

Women are perceived to be the embodiment of power, wealth, and intelligence. We are in no way lesser than our male counterparts. Whether society admits it or not, we are equal to them in every possible way. Never let anyone tell you otherwise.

It’s International Girl Child Day, my little angel. Always remember that there’s no greater power than women in the universe. We are born to conquer. Go out there and win them all, baby. Mummy has always got your back!

Suggested Reading: Want To Bring Up Strong Daughters? Then Lead By Example, Mums

Views expressed by the author are their own