Mom Advice // What do women want to teach their daughters?

I recently read a survey conducted with 1,000 nationally represented women aged 40+, called Post Great Grains Cereal Survey. I thought it was an interesting since, as an almost 35 year woman, I agreed with the majority of the results. It’s a great way to see what we women think are important life lessons to pass on to our daughters.

Check out some of the results and let me know what you think!

Question: What do you wish you had known 10 years ago?

36% of women said “Age is just a number,” while 40% said they wish they had known that “saying no takes courage.”

Question: Agree or Disagree? I love myself more now than I did 10 years ago.

80% of women said that they agreed with this statement!

Question: What’s the best part of getting older?

34% of women said “gaining perspective,” while 38% of women said the best part of getting older is “being comfortable in their own skin.” The latter statement really rings true with me, I think there comes a point in your life where you just realize that to be happy — you have to be happy with yourself and accept yourself for who you are — I’m getting there and hope to teach my daughter this lesson!

Question: Agree or Disagree? My mistakes led to failures that were worth the learning experience.

86% of women said that they agreed with this statement!

Question: What are you happiest about leaving behind in your 20s?

18% of women said they were happiest to leave behind their hairstyles, while 29% said boyfriends and 28% said they were happy to be free of financial worries. I don’t know about you, but I am super glad tat I don’t have to use a can of hairspray every tie  I want to style my hair! These days I’m a wash and wear kind of girl and i love it!

Question: What have you improved upon in the last 10 years?

54% of women say they have “improved their confidence,” with another 35% “improving their courage.” Confidence and courage go hand in hand, I think. This is another thing that I feel comes with age and just finding the ability to believe in yourself.

Question: What is your biggest obstacle when reaching your potential?

Not surprisingly, 83% of women said that “what they think about themselves” has been holding them back. While only 17% said it’s “what others think of them.” Yes, yes and yes! I am always worried about what everyone else is thinking… I know I shouldn’t be and I’ve started to realize that instead of judging ME, most people are just as worried and they are judging themselves just as harshly! The lesson is to accept yourself for who you are — and it is a hard one for many.

Question: Have you ever apologized for expressing your opinion, for example, by saying “I’m Sorry” before starting a sentence?

I do this all the time and know it’s something I need to work on. 46% of women say “they apologize for their opinions” as well, while 38% said they never have.

Question: Who do you call first, when you need a good laugh?

59% of women say they call their significant other first, while 41% will call their best girlfriend.

Question: What is the most important lesson about womanhood that a mother can give her daughter?

26% of women say they want to teach their daughter to “speak up for themselves.” 22% say “taking pride in your accomplishments” is a good lesson and 33% say the teaching their daughters “not to let a man dictate their decisions” is important. I think these three pieces of advice are very important. Taking pride in what you do and making sure you have a voice are two huge ways to make sure you are comfortable in your own skin. And, I don’t think you should allow anyone to dictate what your opinions or decisions will be — man or not.

Question:What do you think was the biggest step for women is 2013?

66% of women think that “Congress having a record number of women” is a great step!

So, do you agree with any of these survey results? What sort of Mom Advice are you trying to instill in your daughters and children?

_{*The Post Great Grains Cereal Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative women ages 40+, between January 24th-31st 2014, using an email invitation and online survey.}