#22 Let Your Dad Be Protective

I know, in a few short years a protective father will be HIGH on your list of reasons you hate life and your parents, why you aren't "cool", why no boys will come within ten feet of you (which if you ask me is a good thing), and a million other things. I still say -- LET HIM GUARD YOU.

I can tell you this RIGHT now..your father has your best interest in mind always. I can also tell you that he is a great judge of character. He wants you to be happy--he also wants you to be safe. He will want to know where you are when you are out with friends, he will give you a curfew, he won't let you date boys who he doesn't know and who don't show you respect. Naturally you will think this is the worst thing ever but I promise it is not.

In case you haven't figured it out your life is a precious gift not only to you, but also to us as parents. We want you to have friends, have fun, heck at some point in time I even want you to get married (if you want to as well). However none of that will change that you are your father's little girl. His eyes light up when he sees you, his smile gets bigger than I have ever seen it, he cherishes you and when you are older he will want you to be with a man who does the same.

He wants you to be with someone you love (See: #4 Marry For Love) and who loves you back. That means that he might be polishing his guns when Johnny knocks at the door. Trust me, if the guy is worth your time he won't have to even worry about what your dad is up to when he arrives. It also means he will expect boys to pick you up at the door when they come to the house--not the driveway. Also, he probably won't let you out the door if he can see the young man's underwear or even a segment of your midsection.

If you promise to let your dad guide and protect you as his little girl who he loves so much..I promise to support you if he gets out of hand. ;-)

#21 Call your Grammy and your Nana

You are one lucky duck girl. You have a Grammy and a Nana who love you so very much! Do me a favor, when you are older and you think your mom is a crazy batty fool--call them. They will guide you when my advice isn't so hot. Sometimes they will agree with me, other times they might ACTUALLY have a better idea.

Other times you need to call them:
-When you are lonely
-When they are lonely
-When you are happy
-When you do something really fun
-When you are sad or disappointed
-When you want to laugh
-When you want to make someone else laugh
-ANY TIME that you think of them--because they are most likely thinking of you too.

The awesome thing about these ladies is that they are actually MOMS too! They love you and have your best interest at heart. They get the joy of spoiling you and sending you home--so they naturally come with an extra dose of fun and exciting. They have advice that I don't have. Love them, have fun with them, learn from them--AND DO NOT FORGET TO CALL THEM!!!

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#20 Shake Your Groove Thing!

That's right girl..dance! Lately you have really gotten "into" music. When the Leapfrog toy plays the ABC song you really shimmy. I just wanted to say that I hope you always are willing to dance.

People seem to think that in order to dance you have to be taught or you have to "know" how. Of course, if you want to do perfect ballet, learn a tap dance routine, or participate in So You Think You Can Dance (A TV show that will be long out of existence when you are old enough to even enjoy such a thing) you will need some classes. The good part is--you don't need a class to shake and shimmy!

Dancing is good for you! It raises your heart rate and gets your blood flowing, it stretches your muscles and can relax your mind. You can dance to relieve stress, you can dance to make someone smile, you can dance to commemorate your wedding, you can even dance for charity through things like Dance Marathon!

Please daughter, even if it is just to make your mom giggle--always be willing to break down and dance!

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