What should a mother tell her daughter at 16
 

In the last season episode of Bones (2-22) a mother says she is sorry that she was not there at her daughter's 16 birthday to tell her what a mother should tell a daughter at that milestone.

My question:

What should a mother tell her daughter on her 16th birthday? (besides "Happy Birthday")

There's nothing a mother could tell her daughter at 16 that she shouldn't have already told her MUCH earlier. Advice/warnings about sex, STD's, pregnancy, menstruation, social/peer pressure... I shudder to think what any parent waits that long to tell their kid.

"get a job"
"use condoms"
"drive safe and how to change tire, jump start car, all the things that can happen when a car has troubles."

anything else i don't know because i'm not a 16year old girl or a mother.

LOL...well played.

I'm not a mother and I've never been a 16 year old girl, but that's never stopped me before. I'd say
When all else fails, MLK Jr. is a good place to look for wisdom.

As a kid who knew next to nothing about sex at 16, for the love of God have "the talk" before then.

:D

not different from any other day, say "I love you."

I'm going on vacation, you're going to watch your little brother while i'm gone.

Answers not meant for the actual birthday. These are probably for teens in general, though. I can't imagine waiting this long for major milestone talks.

Take those things out of your ears.
Your hair looks nice. Is it supposed to be pink?
You're not wearing that in public. It's mine.
What is that on your _____. Is that a butterfly?
I just got your report card. You're grounded.
I'm pregnant with twins, so you're moving to the basement.

You were adopted.

Oh, I love that one!

How about "Happy birthday!"?

In other words, it was a stupid question.
It made sense in the TV show.

It's a bit of a cliche but I am sure in the context of the show it brought just the right amount of regret to the fore...

I didn't think it was a stupid question. I thought it was a fun question. My 16 year old daughter helped me come up with the answers. ;)

They were funny! Made me laugh. :)

I second this one.

Think back to when you were sixteen, and the advice you wished someone had bestowed on you.
And like some others have mentioned, anything earth-shatteringly important shouldn't have been left for a certain date or milestone.

Tell her to start contributing to her Roth IRA immediately.

She'll be filthy rich.

In relation to the TV line - I guess there's not one specific thing, however every birthday is a milestone probably, by definition I guess. And I think that a "kid" needs to learn a little more from their parents each day. That bit of learning doesn't have to be pre-defined. It could be whatever is appropriate for this person/time.

If I think of the script in these terms, it makes sense. It even sounds quite meaningful/touching.

In general - people slack off when they're young then work hard later to support their children.

When we advice you to be sensible now, it's because we want to save you a lot of effort later.

I'm curious...why?

For example, what do you consider "earth-shatteringly important" to a teenager? What must they need to know and to what end?

Dear God, I certainly hope that by the time my future possible daughter is 16 she will know all about the birds and the bees.

At 16, I hope that my daughter and I will just be talking about love and sex and life as if they were everyday things, and I hope that all I will have to say is, "Happy Birthday."

That was sort of beautiful onesnowyowl - maybe its the wine...

As a young person myself (19) I think I would have been glad to hear that I don't have to impress anyone and that all kids my age are scared, and how to be a leader and how to make people feel loved and accepted.

- GingerRoot

By sixteen, they should have already been informed of any and all sexual education, including being told to always use condoms, and them knowing and understanding it is their responsibility to go to a parent or qualified health professional if they have any questions or concerns.
They should be warned about the dark side of people as well,
that men/boys will say anything to get a little,
bosses will make false promises,
never lend money to friends,
some people will take advantage of whomever whenever,
some people lie for attention and/or financial help,
what your parents tell you most often won't be understood until it's too late,

and the most important - always let your mom know where you are.

Today is not forever.

"The mailman is your real father."

"Stay away from World's King!"