Dear Daughter,

A parent–child relationship begins like walking on a single road.

In childhood, You see the world through our eyes.
You follow our rules, trust our instincts, believe what we say – almost completely.
Parents lead, children walk beside them, hand in hand.

Then comes adolescence.
And that single road quietly turns into a crossroads.

Your world starts changing – inside and outside.
Your body changes. Your mind grows faster than you can keep up with.
Emotions arrive unannounced. Questions multiply. Curiosity about everything suddenly feels overwhelming.

Your brain is still developing, yet you are expected to process adult emotions.
It is one of the most confusing stages of life – and the biggest shift often happens in your relationship with your parents.

As you grow, you begin to see counterpoints.
You discover other perspectives to what you were told, what you saw, what you observed growing up.

When you step out of home – for studies, for work, you meet new people.
Their ideas, beliefs, and ideologies begin to rub off on you.
Slowly, almost unknowingly, you start becoming an amalgamation of your values, your environment, your friendships, and your worldview.

That is how everyone grows.

But sometimes, in this process, children begin to feel a sense of detachment from parents. What they learned for years may suddenly feel… not entirely right.

Often, this happens because we make one quiet mistake – we treat parents like Gods, not human beings.
And gods are not allowed to be wrong.
Humans are.

As parents, we too learn and unlearn constantly.
And you being the first born and only child, we are doing many things for the first time.
So much of what made sense in my time is obsolete today. And as you will keep on growing, many more things will change.

So I want to say two things.

First – if you ever feel conflicted, or face difficult moments (and you will, because hardships are part of life); if life ever feels heavy, if a situation feels hopeless – even in the worst of moments – remember this: we are always here for you.

Second – children don’t start hiding things or telling lies because of a moral failing. Most often, it’s a survival instinct.
To hide bad marks.
A young relationship.
A choice they fear won’t be approved.

Whatever it may be – good, bad, or uncomfortable – I want to hear it.
From you first. Always.

Please remember this: we are your safe space.

A place with no judgement. A place where you are accepted exactly as you are. Nothing and I emphasise, nothing can ever change our love for you.

Until then, just know this:
You never walk alone.
Even if ever, our roads look different, our hearts remain on the same path.

With all my love,
Mumma