ESL Blogs

Are you in your teens, twenties, or thirties? Are you in your forties, fifties or sixties? Think back to your life ten years ago. What age bracket were you in then? What did you wish you knew then that you know now? This month, let's share some advice with people who are younger than ourselves. Your blog post could help younger readers. It may also help you realize how much you have grown in the last few years.

Your Task: 

1. Choose one role that you play in life (father, artist, teacher, computer programmer, volunteer)

2. Choose a younger age group that you will write advice for (teens, twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties, seventies).

3. Write a list of 5-10 tips for better or smarter living based on what you've learned in the last decade. Beside each tip write a brief note or use an example from your past. 

4. Post your blog. Then come back and share a link to your post. Don't forget to leave comments for your fellow bloggers.

Notes

*Use the base verb form in list subheadings. (see example: read, take, write)

*Review the past perfect. When you write a "wish" about the past, you use the past perfect: I wish I had spent more time with my friends. 

*Share a picture of yourself in the role you chose (parent, worker, artist etc.) from both ages.

*advice=noun

*advise=verb

*advice is a non-count noun (no plural); use "some advice" or a "word of advice" or "a piece of advice" (other non-count nouns include  "information", "feedback" and "vocabulary")

My Example: 

Advice for a Mom in her Twenties: 

1. Read to your babies: Learn to love reading to your kids. Don't limit reading to bedtime stories. Keep colourful books in every room of your house. 
2. Take videos of your babies: I did not have a good video camera when my first child was born. I wish I had splurged and bought one. No matter how tired you look, make sure you're in some of the videos too. Your kids will love to see how young you were when you learned how to be a mom.
3. Write down funny things your kids say: It's true. Kids say the funniest things. You know what else is true? Parents eventually forget these precious moments. I wish I had written down more things that my little ones said as they were learning to talk. 
4. Make time for your own friends: Being a parent of young kids has many rewards but it is also very tiring. Make sure to stay in touch with at least one very close friend even if your kids are your primary focus. Pick a friend who isn't afraid of late night phone calls. 
5. Sacrifice everything but your passion: Do you love to paint, take pictures, golf, or play soccer? Being a parent of young kids requires you to sacrifice a lot of things you previously enjoyed. Keep one thing sacred and give yourself time each week to enjoy your passion or hobby.  
6. Keep meals simple: You will eventually have more time to try new recipes and plan more elaborate meals. Every meal does not have to be perfect. It's okay to give your kids cereal for dinner once in a while. I wish I had known that when I was in my twenties.
7. Sneak the nutrition in: You can sneak pureed pumpkin or butternut squash into pancakes, hamburgers, french toast, stirfries, and lots of other meals. I learned this trick from Jessica Seinfeld's cookbook, Deceptively Delicious. Just because they aren't babies anymore, doesn't mean you should give up on purees. 
   
   
8. Trust what other people say about your kids: They may not act on their best behaviour at home, but if your child's teacher or babysitter or extended family says your child is well-behaved, that's what counts.
9. Treasure the alone time you get with your second (or third, or fourth..): Your first child gets so much attention when he or she is born. Make a special effort to create special memories with your second child as well. 
10. Listen to the whisper: If you hear a whisper telling you to say no, say no. If you hear a whisper telling you to check on your child, check on your child. If you hear a whisper to give yourself a break, listen to the whisper. Learn to trust your mother's instinct at all times.  It is a great gift.