Love is a 4 letter word.

There are 3 (some argue 4) distinct styles of parenting. My parents decided to adopt the "Authoritarian" approach. While I turned out fine (I'm not a serial killer or drug addict), I wouldn't say I turned out great. I think I could've been more than what I am today. Perhaps, I sometimes fear them too much to try to be myself, try to explore interests, try to be more than I am right now. What if they don't like me then? I think that's the main problem with me. I fear way more than I should. It's not them, I think. I think it's just me. I try to copy the mould they expect me to be, but it just doesn't work for me. I just keep screwing up. I wonder why God didn't think to make me the exact person they want me to be? That'd be a whole lot easier on me... and well, them. Age 17- I wanted to take Mass Comm because being a photojournalist for the National Geographic was my dream (still is) but I was convinced otherwise because my pa is a property developer and I took Interior Design trying to please him. That failed. Got bored way too quickly and my lecturers hated me so I got nowhere. So then, Age 19 - I thought maybe if I became a business person just like him, maybe it wouldn't be so bad and now I'm bored, troubled, and life has no meaning. It's true when they say you should really pick something you'd like to do for the rest of your life or it becomes a chore. Age 23 - I still want to be a goddamn photojournalist. Great, now what?

I decided that the only way I'm gonna remember all this in future when I do have kids, is to make a list of things right now that I need them to know.

10 things to tell my kids when they're 18

1. Let no one define you, even me. Doesn't matter if you're a doctor or a street side artist. If it makes you happy, do it, or you'll never be complete.

2. Embrace friendships you have now, you may never have that much time in future to. All of you'll grow up, have families and soon you'll have lesser and lesser time for each other, so treasure the moments with your friends.

3. Embrace family even more. If there's one thing in the world that you can count on, it'll be us.

4. Sleep, take naps whenever. This is probably the only time you can. If you work best at 2am, do it, but make sure to wake up for school.

5. Never fear me to the point you lose sleep trying to tell me something, I'll always be supportive.