Always wear a seat belt. Always say "please" and "thank you." Always share your toys.

These are basic rules of life that every parent tries to instill in their child. They teach them to be safe, polite, and kind. Throughout childhood we learn how to successfully navigate are way through the world. Even though our world may revolve around bedtime stories at this point, growing up is hard.

As I watch children grow up today I think about the differences between their childhoods and mine, especially the young girls. Unfortunately we live in a world where our society lacks the support that women deserve. I watch as young girls aspire to be Instagram models. I watch as young girls are taught never to go to the bathroom alone. I watch along with other young women, when we are told that are bodies and our rights as humans, are simply chalked up to "20 minutes of action," and because a young white man can swim fast, he is allowed to continue on with his life, even though he has ruined another.

What would I tell these young girls if I could simply speak to them? Better than that, what would their mother's say to them?

So, I found out. I asked forty young women one question, If you could give one piece of advice to your future daughter, what would it be?

Here is what they said.

1. I would tell her to be passionate about the things she loves that includes herself, her education, health, and her career choice. She needs to love herself before she can give love to anyone else.

2. Don't look at someone else's success and hate them for it since you aren't there. You can't gossip about them or tear them down to bring yourself up because it doesn't change where you are and where they are.

3. Accept your quirks, your skin color, the way you walk, the way you talk, the way your hair is probably way too hard to deal with. Accept it all, because I know it took me way to long for me to. Accept it because it's not something meant to be change.

4. Life is a growing process and life is always changing.

5. Trust yourself. Listen to your instincts. No one should have more faith in your mind and your capabilities than you. There will be times when you will second guess the value of your thoughts and insights only to hear them later voiced by someone else. Then you will realize their worth. Try as hard as you can not to let this happen. They are no braver or smarter than you.

6. Always strive for her own version of a fulfilled life. To keep her mind open and to understand that offering support for each other is a welcome departure from envy or intimidation. That her career and status makes her no better than anyone else, and nobody else better than her.

7. Never put her life and dreams on hold for anyone. I know so many young girls that want to be married so bad that they start limiting themselves in order to fit a guy into their life, but that's not what is going to make them happy.

8. If I had a daughter I would tell her not to live her life trying to make everyone else happy.

9. Rock the body you have. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

10. Sometime it's okay to take a step back, and realize you are being ridiculous.

11. "I don't know" is the most powerful thing you can say to another person. Girls are socialized to be perfect, and it deprives us of so many experiences and interactions.So be oblivious! Be confounded! Be a little ignorant, and have your heart in the right place, people want to teach you and tell you their stories.

12. You can't airbrush personality, sweetie.

13. Respect for herself, others, and her future. When it comes to respecting herself I mean that she should always carry herself in the best way possible. Dress for success, not a rave. Eat well and take care of your body...older you will thank you. Never drink in excess...it just looks silly.

14. Don't expect to marry the first person you date. Don't be afraid to play the field a little bit so you know what's out there, and that the first boy you date is probably not what the "best out there" is.

15. If you ever feel obligated to have sex don't do it. There's so much more to life than bad sex. Making love is a beautiful and fun thing when it's with the right person. And even if you wanna have fun around the town that's fun too but besafe. Also, no means no and if they push you physically or mentally leave.

16. Love your body, all shapes and sizes. Love it even when you hate it. Your body is your temple and the one thing you have ultimate control over.

17. It's not always about you. That everyone is a tiny part of a bigger and beautiful picture; that we're all more the same than we are different so take care of your brothers and sisters in the world so lend a hand and help make the bigger picture as great as you can.

18. To find happiness in solitude would have to be my piece of advice. It's so important to learn how to be content on your own; there is power in independence. And being able to tap into that power makes everything else in life so much more fulfilling. But also to remember that needing support from others is not a failure! It is human!!

19. Karma has no deadline.

20. You were not born to just pay bills and die. Go out and do something. Travel, eat, learn, work, spread love.

21.Things heal with time. I've been through a lot of bad things in my life and I leaned after time and time again that if I just keep a positive outlook and know that within time things will heal that it will get me through.

22. be good to people, even the shitty people. Let assholes be asshole, you'll sleep better.

23. Love yourself because no one else can love you unless you love yourself. And love yourself even when the world doesn't, because sometimes it will feel like the world is against you.

24. Love herself uninhibitedly. I wasted so much time telling myself things that only made me feel terrible about things I couldn't change. It closed me off from people who would support me and make me feel good. Until I truly learned to accept myself, flaws and all, I constantly doubted what goals I would be able to achieve. I feel so much more free and happy loving who I am.

25. Your gut is usually right, so when in doubt, swipe left.

26. Home will always be there when you need it. Go out of your comfort zone and enjoy life because the best things happen when you do something you'd never thought you could.

27. It's okay to be alone sometimes. You need to make yourself happy instead of relying on someone else to do it

28. There is a chance you're going to be born into a very conservative narrow/closed minded world. People are going to forever be scared of the different and what they cannot understand. Despite what seems to be more accepted as time goes on, it's always going to show it's ugly head as life goes on. Always remember to be yourself.

29. If you ever have to choose between your dreams and a man, just remember that your dreams will never wake up and suddenly say "I don't love you anymore"

30. You'll end up really disappointed if you think people will do for you, as you have done for them, not everyone has the same heart as you.

31. His opinion will never define you.

32. When your mascara cost a small fortunate and your lipstick cost about the price of an arm, you do not have the time or the money to cry over fucking boys.

33. Live a full life and pay no mind to what others have to say.. Life is too short.

34. The only person who's opinion you need to worry about is your own.

35. Learn to trust yourself, your intuition and love everything that you are. The more in tune you are with your inner world, the better you will be able to handle anything that happens in your outer world. Oh, and don't always listen to everything I say just because I am your mother and think I know best. Listen to your inner guidance system, always.

36. Trust the timing of your life, hustle everyday, and work like a boss. nope... be the boss.

37. Take care of your self physically, emotionally, mentally, and even spiritually.

38. Always be yourself and don't worry about what other people think or say as long as you know you are doing the right things in your life then that's all that matter.

39. Things happen and people change, the sooner you realize and accept that, then the better off you will be.

40. You have one life baby, live it.

Many thanks to all of the young women who made this piece possible, you ladies are extraordinary.

*Names and ages have been kept private