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(#1) “I’d Rather You Call Me at 2 AM for a Ride Than Drink and Drive”
Calling your mom and asking for a ride was probably last thing you wanted to do as a buzzed teenager leaving a party. But even worse than seeing her station wagon pull up to your friend's house was the thought of calling her from your holding cell in the local police station. Mom was right about this one: It's way better to be safe than sorry. -
(#2) "Treat Others How You Want to Be Treated"
It's the Golden Rule. If you didn't hear it quite like this, maybe it was something more along the lines of: "Be nice. You never know who could end up being your boss." Either way, Mom was right. You should be nice to just about everybody. -
(#3) “Chew With Your Mouth Closed”
This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you’re eating a bowl of cereal on your couch solely in the presence of your cat, by all means, chomp away! But no one else wants to see your half-chewed enchilada. If you’re trying to torture your sister or turn a first-date sour, by all means, open wide. Otherwise, have a little class and chew with your mouth closed. -
(#4) “Don’t Get Mixed Up in the Wrong Crowd”
Peer pressure is a strong force. It can be positive and negative, and it can convince us to do things we’d otherwise never do. Mom wanted to make sure you didn’t fall vulnerable to the other kids’ evil ways. Since it's kind of true that “Once you pop, you can’t stop,” you might as well just not start in the first place. -
(#5) "Dont Lie"
Even though it was just as bad, lying to Mom was different... mainly because she always knew. Lying gets messy, and it hurts people. Ultimately, lying makes your life way, way harder, and it makes other people lose their faith in you. And Mom is all about things being easier for you in the long run.
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(#6) “Eat Your Vegetables!”
This one usually surfaced as she was threatening to take away your TV privileges. “Look at Popeye! And Hulk Hogan! They eat their vegetables!” she might have yelled. At that point, you either folded your own in a napkin and put them in your pocket or slipped them under the table for the dog to sniff.
Now that you're a little too old to eat anything you want without looking/feeling like crap, you're probably willing to admit that Mom was on the right track. Vegetables are good for you. -
(#7) “Listen to Your Gut”
We can all look back to a time or two when we made the right choice by not doing something. And we can probably all look back to a time or two when we knew we weren’t making the right choice, but we did it anyway. Usually, these decisions usually let to bigger regrettable messes. Mom was right, and we’d all be better off if we acted on our instincts. -
(#8) “Don’t Slouch”
“Pretend there’s a string attaching the top of your head to the ceiling,” she said. And she was right. Good posture is one of the first cues of confidence. Arguably, posture could change your life. -
(#9) “People Judge You by the Company You Keep”
You may be the Jock, the Nerd, the Popular Girl, or the Freak. But none of that matters when the people you spend your time with are huge douchebags. Maybe the thought of being misjudged bothers you, and maybe it doesn't. But if you are in the first camp, listen to Mom, and ditch the douches. -
(#10) “Respect Your Elders”
Over the past century, First World countries have become melting pots of culture, with various traditions and social norms vying for importance among all society. But one thing that has and will always remain important is being respectful to our elders. Sure, just because you’re old doesn’t mean you’re a saint - or even right - but watching out for those who aren’t as physically capable as you is part of being an active member of a community. -
(#11) Your Body Is a Temple
- Musical Recording
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(#12) “Comb Your Hair”
The ripple effect goes a little something like this: It’s harder for people who don’t brush their hair to "look presentable." People who look sloppy don't get hired for jobs. It’s hard to survive if you don’t have a job. Mom is just looking out for you. And preventing you from living in her basement for too long. Or from thinking it's OK to leave the house looking like Goldilocks after a tornado hits. -
(#13) “Money Isn’t Everything”
Money isn’t everything (but Mom wants you to have your own). She says this because she wants your life to be well-balanced between work and play. She doesn’t want you losing sight of your family or what’s important to you just because you're trying to keep up with the Joneses. Also, a rich partner does not equal a good partner. Before you invest in a relationship, make sure it's for the right reasons. -
(#14) “There Are Plenty of Fish in the Sea”
This pill might be a little hard to swallow when you were crying over Chad or Sarah. But Mom's real point is that you will get over the pain of your heartbreak - eventually. And you will find love again! Don't worry. All is not lost. -
(#15) “Your Body Is a Temple”
R.E.S.P.E.C.T. You only get one body in your life, so treat it nicely. It will last longer, look better, feel better - and even save you money on expensive things like hospital visits and medication. And please put on some sunscreen. -
(#16) “I’m Not Mad; I’m Just Disappointed”
The truth behind this phrase doesn’t show its true colors until we’re old enough to, well, be truly disappointed by another person. Being angry and being disappointed are two totally different things. The biggest difference is that disappointment usually stems from logical expectations whereas anger stems from reactionary emotions. If we all acted strictly on our emotions, we’d be living in a dystopic nightmare full of many useless and counterproductive bar fights and ex-boyfriend t-shirt bonfires. -
(#17) “Always Keep a Blanket and a Snack in The Car.”
“You never know when you’re going to break down!”, she might have said. Even if your car NEVER breaks down on the side of the road, who in their right mind would regret always having snacks and a blanket on hand? In her wise, experienced ways, maybe Mom was preparing you for a lot more than breaking down on the side of the freeway. Just sayin’. -
(#18) “The Early Bird Gets the Worm”
You’re probably rolling your eyes. This one doesn’t necessarily mean waking up at the crack of dawn. It applies to being prepared. Being prepared makes your life easier. Mom knew that. She's been doing the whole trial-and-error thing for longer than you've been alive. -
(#19) “Never Leave the House on an Empty Stomach”
Mom was right. Remember that you aren’t the only victim of your hanger (hunger leads to anger, which results in hanger). Getting “hangry” out in public isn’t just unfortunate for you - it makes life less pleasant for everyone around you. -
(#20) “The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Oil”
Haven’t heard back from that new job yet? Call them. Interested in that promotion at work? Communicate. Sick of having to do all the dishes while your roommates play ping pong? Let them know! There’s no sense in standing on the wayside while you go on desiring something. Learn how to communicate in an effective way and do so. -
(#21) “Turn That Frown Upside Down”
“It takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile,” she said. Sometimes pouting makes people feel LESS sorry for you. And sometimes forcing yourself to smile has the power to actually make you feel happier (even Darwin says so)! So smile and be happy, dammit! (Extra non-Mom perk to smiling: Smiling is sexy.) -
(#22) “Do As I Say, Not As I Do!”
This was probably another one of Mom’s favorites. She was able to tell you what to do without having to do it herself. But, rest assured, it was all for your own well-being. -
(#23) “Are You Really Going Out Like That?!”
Maybe it was a see-thru tank top. Maybe it was that ½-inch of eye liner. Or maybe it was an XL Dennis Rodman jersey. (Thankfully it wasn't your favorite muppet sown into a muumuu.) Mom may not have had the best style in your eyes, but she tried her best to save you from yourself. Listen to her. Your future self will thank you. -
(#24) “Always Wear Shoes When You’re Driving!"
"You never know when you're going to break down!" On the rare occasion that you decide to get in your car and drive away without wearing shoes, remember what your Mother said. Don’t drive without your shoes. Even if you don’t break down, you won’t be able to pull over and grab a slurpee from 7-Eleven. And what fun is life as an American youth if you can’t pull over whenever you want and get a slurpee? -
(#25) “Don’t Trust Anyone”
Maybe Mom was a little extreme on this one. Trust who your heart tells you to trust and don’t trust the liquor store attendee who tells you he wants to show you something cool in his van (even if your heart is really curious). -
(#26) “Turn Off That TV or You’ll Turn into a Boob.”
We all know that TV is one of the most amazing inventions of all time, but too much of it can turn our brains a little soft. Mom was right: it’s important to get out of the house and change up your routine. It’s good for your brain! Cut one hour of TV-time from your life each day, and spend that time doing things that actually make your life better. -
(#27) “A White Lie Isn’t Necessarily a Lie . . . ”
In hindsight, this was probably one of our parents’ favorite “lessons” to teach. It allows them to “fib” and “fibbing” isn’t nearly as bad as lying, “especially if it prevents someone from getting hurt,” she said.
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About This Tool
Parenting is a tricky and complicated task, and no parent is perfect. But they all want to make themselves the best mother. Every mother has a unique way of shaping our personality, and certain qualities they instill in us will continue to affect our lives. Maybe you always disliked your mother too nagging when you were a teenager. When you become an independent adult, you will discover how important these little things are to your life.
Thanks to my mother, I have a good habit of making sure to clean the kitchen utensils after I have finished cooking, is it important? The random tool lists 27 great things your mother told you.
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