How Do You Prepare Your Kids For The Real World?

Graduation session is over and were about to welcome the next school year. I had the privilege to be invited as a guest speaker of Campoyong Elementary School - my Alma Mater.

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It was an honor to provide a short inspirational message to the upcoming high school students of my town but it was twice as special because among the graduates were my first born - Daniel & Daphnie and my youngest Dannah also had her moving up ceremony from pre-school to Grade 1 on the same day. It's like a jackpot of events for this Mama - 3 graduates (ahh getting emo over here)

And yes, by now I guess you have already figured that my first born are fraternal twins. I was a bit pressured to come up with a speech that I hope would make an impact on a mind of an 11-12 years old students.

The harder I tried to come up with the perfect speech, the more I struggle to put my thoughts into words. I had to reflect and put my shoe into theirs.

If I could go back in time and talk to my younger self - a 12 year old me who just finished Elementary studies and is about to embark on her high school journey. Totally unaware of what this whole new world and experience will bring me. Not knowing how my decisions and actions during this time might affect who I want and who I will be in the future. If I was sitting here on my Elementary Graduation Day, what is it that I would want to hear?

Nobody prepared us for the real world, it's not even taught in school. If only I knew then what I knew now, maybe I was able to avoid a few bumpy roads along the way. But if that 12 year old me didn't get the guidance and advice that she needed to know then, well ain't gonna happen this time baby. It might be a bit late for me, but definitely not for them.

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So there I was, standing on the podium in front of the graduates and among the crowd telling them the 5 things I wish somebody told me back when I was their age.

Number 1 - Make Memories.

Have you noticed how quick time flies. While your still young make a lot of memories. Make fun ones. Cherish each day. just like what I always tell my kids you can never have the same day twice

Every day of your life is special. You can never have the same day twice. Once that 24hrs is done, that's it. You'll never get to go back to that day. So make the most out of it.

Spend more time with your family. Make new friends. Don't rush to be a grown up, you will have plenty of time for that. As the saying goes "You will only be a child once" and those memories you had as a child are the ones that you will look back to when you grow older.


Number 2 - Do not be afraid to make mistakes, as long as you learn from them.

Nobody is perfect. We are all bound to make mistakes. So please, don't be too hard on yourself. As the saying goes, there is no such thing as a mistake, only lessons learned. What's important is that each time you make a mistake, you acknowledge it, You learn from it, you move on and you never repeat the same mistake twice.

As quoted from Paulo Coelho "When you repeat the same mistake twice, it is no longer a mistake but a choice". So be wise, take risk and learn to rise each time you fall.

That is the beauty of life. We have unlimited chances to start again as long as were alive. We will always have a choice to start over and to come back better and stronger.

So go ahead, Don't be afraid.


Number 3 - Start saving and Investing as early as you can.

This is the most important lesson that you need to know. You should know the difference between your wants and needs. If you have extra money, then that's great. Go ahead and save it if you haven't started yet. That one peso a day will add up in the long run. As long as you are consistent in what you do then it will become a habit that will grow on you. A habit your future self will thank you for especially when you start working and earning real money.

However, saving alone is not enough. You should learn how to invest and make your money grow even if you are sleeping. I must say, your generation are the lucky ones. You have unlimited means on how you can multiple your streams of income through technology and social media. You just got to know what your passionate about and figure out how to make money out of it.

If you haven't figured out what it is that you really like, then that's okay at all. Don't be pressured. You don't need to figure everything at once. Just be sure to be prepared so that when the opportunity strike you will be quick to grab it.


Number 4 - Life is not a competition, The only competitor you have is yourself.

In this era where almost everybody has access to social media, it is easy for us to be jealous and start comparing ourselves to others.

If you ever feel that way, please remember. Life is not a competition. Just like social media, we all have our own timeline. Not all of us will be able to achieve what we want at the same time. Some might be able to get theirs early while others may take time. But know that you will always be where you are supposed to be.

So instead of comparing yourself, you should focus more in improving yourself. Work on becoming the better version of you. It is always going to be You against You and when you think you can't do something, the only person stopping you is just yourself.

Self Improvement is a daily commitment, you don't just do it when you feel like it. You can be anything you want to be, If you work hard for it, the universe will conspire to give you what you desire. So for now, just love yourself. Focus on yourself. Be unique. You don't need to be like anybody else. Just be YOU.


Number 5 - There is a perfect timing for everything.

Do you believe that everything happens for a reason? Chessy as it is but it's true. You don't need to rush things. There is a perfect time for all the things that are about to happen in your life. You just have to enjoy every timeline.

There is a time to enjoy the innocence of being a child, A time to be a student and learn, A time to go find the love of your life, and A time to be independent. You don't need to do everything at once. Just enjoy every season. Don't rush. Don't force it. Just trust the timing of your life.

And of course, the unwritten rule - Always Reflect and Pray. Be Thankful and Grateful. Choose to be kind. Cause what you reflect to the world is what will return to you.


As I finished my speech, I saw a sparkle on the eyes of the kids. I knew then that they were able to understand what I wanted to say and my only hope was that they get to apply it in their own personal lives.

Were about to go home after the Ceremony when the twins said they wanted to stay a little bit longer. I asked them what they will do, and Daphnie answered - It's our last day with our classmates Will make Memories just like you told us. ❤️ In that moment I knew I did something right.

Although, she might not remember her saying those words when she's older. But I will sure do. It will be the stories I tell my kids when they are all grown up.


As a millennial parent, how do you prepare your kids for the real world? Would love to hear your parenting tips especially for pre-teens. Let's talk more on the comment section.

Ma. Morena is a nature enthusiast, an optimist and outgoing person who loves writing about her experiences and adventures.

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