A friend of mine posted a few things her mom has taught her
on Facebook this past week, and it got me thinkin' about what
things my mom has taught me that have been valuable and useful
in my 'real life' as an adult and a mom!
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So, in the spirit of Mom's Day, here are some cool things my mom
taught me, along with a few thoughts from friends, celebs, and
complete strangers!
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A few of mine, from moms and grandmas:
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~That my little family and I are always welcome at home
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~That if we got arrested, it may take some time- like a day or four-
for her to come get us-
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~That it's really important to be there through surgeries, barfing episodes,
and heartbreaks...
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~That babies and kids can have 'bad days'- just like adults do
(her mom taught her that one ;)
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~That it's okay for kids to get dirty, play in the mud, scrape their knees...
to have some of that freedom to play and just to be kids!
(she admits this was a hard one for her to grasp!)
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~To sleep when the baby/kids sleep
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~That some days, you'll get everything done, everything will be neat,
kids will be healthy and happy... and some days, you'll feel blessed
just to have survived the day- and that's just okay!
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From friends and family:
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My mom said that your house is only ever as clean as your kitchen sink . . .
Which is probably why she always washes my dishes when she visits. -Mary Latu
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To always wear clean underwear - you never know when you
could be in an accident and go to the hospital. -Nancy Low
(this is one of my faves... didn't we all get this one?!)
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The importance of having a 'Nothing Day.' -Aunt Sue Heugly
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My mom taught me to hang in there and do what needs to be done,
no matter what anyone else says. -Anita Elliott
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To stop eating when I'm full. -John Barrett
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That ANYONE can be your friend, even the people in the checkout line.
She has never discriminated in any nature when talking to people and
being there for people. I’ve NEVER heard her speak poorly of someone,
or gossip, and when that is happening around her she
chooses to remain silent. -Shersti Edwards
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From Celebs and other people I don't know (some anonymous):
-The greatest lesson my mom has taught me is to know the difference between right and wrong.
– Einar Ingebrigtsen, 23
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'Just don’t do it again.' Works for me! I keep this in mind whenever I make
a mistake... – Aubrey Miles, 27
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Have fun living your life. Just think about waking up in the morning,
and whether it'd be a regret.. – Jet Dayola, 29
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It doesn’t matter what other people think as long as you do what you know is right.
– Michael Karlo Lim, 24
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To put my complete trust in God always and for everything.
He always has a reason for why we go through the things
we go through, and we just have to have complete faith that He
will get us through every trial and challenge in life. I should
see these challenges and trials as ways to build and strengthen
my character and faith.
Oh, and another lesson: use sunblock daily to avoid freckles and skin cancer.
– Alyanna Martinez, 21
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One thing my mom never failed to keep reminding us while growing up
was to never stop believing. That’s how to achieve all your dreams in life,
she’d say. You have to believe. I was 6 years old when she first told
me that. I was being hardheaded and kept asking, 'If that’s true,
how come I can’t fly right now?' She simply replied: 'You have to believe more.'
I’m 24 years old now, and I still believe that, someday, if we believe
it hard enough, we’d be able to fly. – Raf Rosell IV
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If you are at the lowest point of your life,
don’t let it get you. Just enjoy it. You will go there only once. – Luke Jickain
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To think before I open my mouth.
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Don't be quick to judge people.
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To be strong, confident and stand up for myself and my family.
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Whatever happens, keep your dignity... always.
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Not to smoke. It brought on her death way too early.
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To be careful whose promises you believe. Don't put your trust into empty words.
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How to wipe correctly. (haha)
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To listen when your children say they need to talk to you.
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To be thrifty.
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That just because we didn't have everything we desired,
we were still capable of being content, confident and good.
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To dance.
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Not to shoplift meat from the grocery store and run from the security guards.
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Never refuse a breathmint.
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Always wear comfortable clothes.
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My first day of kindergarten my mom told me, 'Don't fart in class.' Best. Advice. Ever.
Never forgot it.
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Save, save, save, save................
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Don't care what other people think about you.
It is what you think of yourself that matters.
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You get one life so make the best out of it.
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That "They are your children and you are there mother;
no one else can raise them like you; love them and raise them right."
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That how your children look and act reflects back on you.
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That painting or crafts or scrapping, etc., are good outlet for stress.
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That she had my back.
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Never make a promise you don't intend on keeping.
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That sanity flees the minute you have kids...
and the older they get the "stupider" you are.
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That an easy life is a boring one.
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That it's good to give people a second chance. Most of the time.
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To have self-esteem and patience.
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To be open-minded.
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To make my own decisions and come to my own conclusions.
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How to sew
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Never let anyone important to you go to bed or
walk out the door without telling them you love them, it could be your last chance.
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Don't make your children pay for your mistakes.
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Once you leave home, coming back will never feel like home,
BUT always remember you can come back home anyway.
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Not to say bad things about your in-laws.
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That education is something that no one can ever take from you.
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How to cook (something I use every single day).
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As parents, present a united front. Agree up front on issues and discipline.
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Choose your battles. Think about it, and decide what you're willing to go
to the wall over, what's important to YOU--and stick to it.
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'Onward and upward'. Her life was full of many disappointments and
when she had dealt with them or moved on from them, she would
announce in a cheerful voice, "Well...Onward and Upward."
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To speak well of others, kindly to them, and really listen
to what they had to say. She taught me (by example) that most people will
respond in a friendly fashion if you simply show that you think they are important.
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That a little kindness and compassion go a long way.
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To make sure that those I love know how much I love them.
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The importance of family, and how to make a marriage work
(compassion, commitment, communication, and compromise!).
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To consider the source, and to let insults roll off my back.
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To have confidence in myself, including my appearance.
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To be thankful, and to realize that money isn't everything.
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Never buy the cheapest, never buy the priciest.
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“Do your best, and whatever happens, you will make me proud.”
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When unsure about whether to proceed with something new, she'd ask me,
“What’s the worst thing that can happen?” I’d answer and she’d ask me,
“What would you do if the worst thing happened?”
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“Love your children, cross your fingers, and the rest will work out.”
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“My mom taught me the mental side of athletics is just as important as the
physical side. When I walk between the lines, I feel as if I’m going to get the better of
every pitcher I face, that I’m going to win that battle. That ‘necessary
arrogance’ came from her. She’s a 100-pound professional equestrian who every day
deals with animals that weigh 1500 pounds. She’ll always be my source
of confidence and pride.” -Chipper Jones, Atlanta Braves.
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"I’ll always remember my Mom telling me that when you borrow something,
make sure to return it in the same—if not, better—condition." -Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers
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“If it’s light outside, then you should be out. Always break a sweat
at least once a day.” -Two-time Men’s Health cover guy Matthew McConaughey
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“My mother taught me to always do what I can to help others.
She instilled that principle in me at a young age, and it's become part of my soul.
If you focus on blessing others, you’ll live life in abundance.”
-Common, two-time Grammy winning hip-hop artist and actor.
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“My mom taught me that I can accomplish whatever I put my mind to—
except for tall people stuff because I have little arms!” -Kevin Hart, comedian
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"Be kind to everyone you meet on your way up, because they are the same
people you'll meet on the way down." -Nathan Fillion, actor- Castle
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“My mother raised five children all with very different interests and talents.
I think through her I've learned that embracing your individuality and that the people
around you are key to living an honest and inspired life."
-Andrew McMahon, singer
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She drilled us on using a hot washcloth to take off our makeup! And to use eye cream.
-Kim Kardashian
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Growing up, the message was, "No matter what you look like, you're beautiful."
I have pictures of when I was 6, wearing cowboy boots with a frilly pink dress,
and my hair all a mess. That was just how I got dressed.
-Clementine, daughter of Cybill Shepherd
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Don't repeat everything you hear.
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That everybody's welcome in our home.
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The elderly are to be treasured.
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If you're married, you're part of a team.
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That church, and God, and knowledge... are important.
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How to make a killer homemade mac-and-cheese!
