What is the best advice your mom ever gave you?

[NMAmy]

My mom's given me a ton of good advice. The one that's helped me the most is, "If you want something from someone you love--be it gifts or help or attention--ASK for it. No one is a mind reader and expecting people to just know what you need will lead to a lifetime of disappointment."

Other gems:
1. Life isn't fair.
2. Don't turn down a date with someone because they don't meet your specific husband material requirements. It's just dinner, not a marriage proposal. You can eat with anyone for a couple of hours and you might just be surprised.
3. Always go to the bathroom before you leave because you might get stuck in traffic.

 

[Nette]

"noone ever said life was going to always be fair".

i've amended this with my kids to "life is'nt always fair, sometimes it's a circus and you're stuck with the job of cleaning up after the elephants-just be thankful you've still got a job".

Definitely "Life isn't fair". I think a lot of people would do good to understand that.

But a close second is "Keep your eyes open during the contractions!" She was right, when I closed my eyes I focused on the pain. But when I looked at something I could focus on it instead of the pain.

 

[BEloveDisney]

From my mom:

1. If it doesn't seem right, it probably isn't.
2. Don't tell anyone anything you don't want everyone else to know.
3. Always go to the bathroom before you leave the house. (This extended to other establishments as well)

From my dad:

1. Don't be stupid.
2. You're a smart girl, act like it.

Both applied to a multitude of things. Drinking, smoking, drugs, sex.....you name it.

 

[handinpocket]

"Keep your mouth shut." I am a type A personality and tend to be a bit hot headed. My Mom was 100% right. It is best to just bite your tongue, 99% of the time, in my experience.

 

[shortbun]

"Don't let your expectations become your disappointments.'

 

[hippiemama76]

My mom (who is my best friend ) has mentioned many of the above, so here is a contribution that I haven't read yet.

When HippieDaddy and I decided to get married, she told me, "Don't share your day-to-day squabbles with me. If something is important, than by all means I'm ready to hear about it, but when you're just annoyed and looking to vent about your husband, think twice about who you share it with. You are my priority, and you might be well over him leaving his dirty socks on the floor, but a week later I will still remember that he made you mad."

I thought it was a weird request at the time, but 10+ years later it makes a lot of sense. If I vented to her every single time I got annoyed . . . that would be a lot of grievances shared as time goes by.

I think it's one of the things that has contributed to DH and my mom having a great relationship. They get along really well, and actually enjoy spending time together.

 

[anniemae]

"everything happens for a reason, we may not know why at the time, but eventually you will."

 

[lisaviolet]

When HippieDaddy and I decided to get married, she told me, "Don't share your day-to-day squabbles with me. If something is important, than by all means I'm ready to hear about it, but when you're just annoyed and looking to vent about your husband, think twice about who you share it with. You are my priority, and you might be well over him leaving his dirty socks on the floor, but a week later I will still remember that he made you mad."

How friggin' smart is your mother.

 

[lisaviolet]

Go with your gut feeling.

Love it!

 

[hippiemama76]

How friggin' smart is your mother.

The smartest, most amazing woman I've ever encountered

 

[luvwinnie]

My mom wasn't one to push advice or tell us what to do, she knew she raised us well and showed us by her example how to treat people....I think what I learned from her example that has helped us all the most is to find humor in even the worst situations. Some people may think we are a warped, twisted bunch, but we are always laughing and we can thank my mom for that. She was the most unselfish, loving mom ever and I miss her every day.

 

[Minnie]

"You're going to be "x" age with the education or without"

Dead serious... without that advise I'd be stuck in that same deadend job going nowhere... With that advise - MBA and a job I love

Mom has just flat out "been there" anytime everytime.

I'm very lucky to have my mom as my very best friend

 

[Took]

"Never marry for money. You can steal it easier..."

I listened to her on this one. Very glad I did.

 

[nskjerven]

growing up:

"if you can't say anything nice say nothing at all"

today over her forgetfullness:

"if you can't laugh at yourself you don't have much to laugh about"

 

[disneyelaine]

My mom passed away when my 1st son was only 2. But one thing she
left me with was "The greatest gift you can ever give you son, is to love his father." (and vice versa)

 

[handinpocket]

My mom passed away when my 1st son was only 2. But one thing she
left me with was "The greatest gift you can ever give you son, is to love his father." (and vice versa)

I think that is the best advice anyone could give. A stable, loving home is worth it's weight in gold.

 

[mariolatry]

Along with some of the great things that have been already shared:

1. You don't have to be the perfect parent, you just have to be good enough.

2. For a woman, have every experience you really want to have before you have kids. You may still want to do it after you have them but you won't have the time, the money, or the energy.

3. Every woman should have some kind of back-up plan for supporting herself and her children, if she should suddenly be divorced or widowed.

 

[disneyelaine]

Amen! And I have tried to do just that thru out our marriage!
My mom was one smart lady! I only wish she could have lived
way longer.....

 

[sunshine girl]

These are great. My mom isn't one to dole out advice, per se, but she did tell me (and teach me by her actions) to value education. When I was leaning toward changing career directions, she encouraged me to get another degree in my new field of choice. And I did, and I am so glad. My degrees have opened so many doors for me, without question.

My mom also taught me personal responsibility. And how I have to take responsibility for my choices.

The "life isn't fair" one ... I definitely learned that too! After too much of my teenage whining, I think she had to pull that card.

 

[Uuaww]

Don't burn bridges. No matter how much you want to, just don't do it.