How to become better grownups
How To Become Better Grownups
Hi my name is Caroline and I am 8 years old.
This is my first Journal post for my Mom's shop.
I am going to help you to be better grownups... here’s how:
1. Laugh a little... for crying out loud
Even since I was a little girl if I was mad my Mom always told me, “Can you change your day around and start your day over?” So what I would do was just decide to turn my day around by changing my attitude. I went from crying to laughing, and my day went from grumpy to a yay day. At least that's what my sister says, she says any day can be a YAY day!
2. Get sleep
Do grownups ever say they are tired? Well, yes. When my mom is tired that's when she is fussy and she doesn’t do the things she likes to do. Like paint. So get yourself what you need, go get some sleep.
3. Baking is a treat
When I visit my Ama (grandma) we love to bake together. We like to make banana bread, cookies and lots of other things. She is never too busy to do what she loves - baking. Which works out for me because I love a treat! Don’t be too busy to bake.
4. Wear the shoes
My mom tells me a story I love to hear about when I was younger. She says she found me when I was two years old wearing a pair of shoes inside of another pair of shoes. I know that probably doesn't make sense to an adult, but they were both cute. Everything you do doesn’t have to make sense.
Thanks for reading my first journal
-Caroline Ruth
Jan, 13, 2026
Hi, Caroline. Imagine my delight when I sat down in my chair this morning to take a break from my chores and saw your journal entry. I was thinking that I really wished I knew how to make my winter blah day a yay day. And I wished I wasn’t so tired. Then? Then! You said Just Do These Things Because You’re Grownup Duh.
Like, who’s telling me I can’t? I’m a mom and my teenager is home today because his school is snowed out. It’s called a remote learning day and he is doing his work on a Chromebook, which is like a small computer that the school gives you until the end of the school year. It’s not for games! But hey, we can put the Chromebook down and bake some cookies! Right now! What a great idea. Our kitchen feels warm and smells buttery. Also? I’m definitely going to go to bed earlier tonight so I can be ready for a yay day every day. My teenager said to tell you thank you for all your wise ideas. Grownups need to hear good ideas too.
Keep writing! That’s how we learn.
PS I also have two daughters who are in college and they love shoes. I will tell them you said to wear all the shoes. Who knew? You did! You are very smart and kind to share your great ideas. Thanks so much, the Bruce family
Caroline, I loved reading your post! I, like your mom, have thought about your quote, “it doesn’t have to make sense”! I have watched your Mom change any day and any season into a YAY day and YAY season! No doubt you have learned this rhythm from her! Keep putting to words what is inside your beautiful heart! I will definitely keep baking, esp with and for my grandkids! Thank you for your encouraging post!
Caroline, I loved reading your post! I, like your mom, have thought about your quote, “it doesn’t have to make sense”! I have watched your Mom change any day and any season into a YAY day and YAY season! No doubt you have learned this rhythm from her! Keep putting to words what is inside your beautiful heart! I will definitely keep baking, esp with and for my grandkids! Thank you for your encouraging post!
Such great advice, there’s a lot of wisdom in your message.
Keep writing! 🥰
Way to go Sissy! Keep writing and loving and being you!! I have thought about the suggestion you gave about doing things even though they don’t make sense for weeks now! It’s like your voice is a gentle tap on my shoulder reminding me to have fun and not always think about having to be productive! So glad I get to be your mom and friend!! LOVE you so!
xo, Mommy