What Mom Taught Me

Mom’s the word!

Our moms must have done something right because here we all are, making our way in the world and raising our own families. So, to celebrate Mothers Day, we asked a bunch of moms and dads to share the best parenting tips and advice their mom ever gave them…

Tell – don’t ask!

One of the best things my mother taught me about parenting – besides expect the unexpected – was to tell, not ask. Conversations with my daughter usually begin with, “Sweetie, do you want…?” And her response is almost always a resounding no! I could ask her if she wants chocolate ice cream for breakfast and it would still be no. Instead, my mom suggested I try using simple statements like, “It’s time for lunch,” rather than, “What do you want for lunch today?” Or, “Bathtime,” instead of “Do you want to take a bath now?” Don’t get me wrong: it doesn’t work all the time! She’s 2 – it’s her job to go against everything I say… at least that’s what I tell myself. Still, it’s a good rule of thumb!
Stacy Canzonieri, Denville, New Jersey

Trust your gut…

The best parenting advice I’ve every gotten from my mom was, “Trust your instinct – it’s usually right.” Anyway, it was probably the best advice I've ever gotten and it was true – my instinct does seem to know the answers when it comes to my kids...
Kim, Hillsborough, New Jersey

Second thoughts?!

The best parenting advice my mom gave me about parenting was, “Kids change everything. You better make sure that’s what you want before you decide to have any.” Wait a minute… Hmmm… OK… Was she talking about me?! Nice mom, huh?
Bre Bishop, NY, New York

As if!

Best parenting advice from my mom: “Sleep when the baby sleeps.”
But come to think of it, that wasn’t advice at all… that was a fairy tale.
Carol Kabat, Fountain Hills, Arizona

Still waiting…

My mom used to say to me, “Your kids will hate you today for correcting them, but they'll love you tomorrow for doing it.” Needless to say, I’m still waiting for the loving part to kick in…
Dean Hamilton, Seminole, Florida

Life coach

I heard these two a lot from my stepmom: “Knowing and doing are two different things,” and “If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll never do it.” It’s great advice to live by, and not just when it comes to parenting!
Sarah, Denver, Colorado

Great advice… or good excuse?!

“Kids are remarkably resilient.” This was after she let my son fall from the high chair against the table, leaving a scar on his forehead. Actually I’m not sure if that was so much advice as it was an excuse.
Ben Hirsch, Farmington Hills, Michigan

Golden rules

My mom raised five girls and her advice was always simple: “You don't have to love me, but you will respect me”; “be a parent first, friendship grows with time”; “follow through when it comes to discipline”; and “never discredit your spouse in front of your kids or they’ll play you off against each other.” And finally: “stay involved in their lives and let them know they can come to you with ANYTHING!”
Paula, Tewksbury, Massachusetts

Learn to love the off-switch

“If you don’t raise your kids, the TV will – and it’ll reverse everything you ever tried to teach them!” My mom’s all about getting things right…
Dario Dinatale, Escondido, California

Starting over…

Neither my mom nor my stepmom were paragons of wisdom when it came to child-raising, but when I became a young adult and found myself stuck in a marriage with a man who, as it turned out, didn’t love me or treat me right, I told my stepmom, “It’s my mistake – I’ll live with it.” She said, “You don't live with mistakes. You correct them and go on.” That was the single most life-changing thing anyone ever said to me. I left and started over, and met a great guy – we’ve been married for almost 14 years now and have three great kids. I can’t imagine the hell I’d be in right now if I hadn't taken her advice.
Shelly Webb, Beverly, Ohio

Share the love

My mom gives advice, but it’s not usually good advice! My grandmother on the other hand is wonderful with things like that. The best advice she ever gave me, though, wasn’t very specific – I just applied it to everything! It’s this: “Just love her and everything else will work out.”
I think that about says it all.
Tamara Bellinc, Shelbyville, Tennessee

Don’t do as I do…

“My mother-in-law was a stay at home mom with 11 kids, in Ireland. Her best advice for her daughters? “Don’t become a stay-at-home mom with 11 kids – get out of the house and make time for yourself.”
Shelley Bueche, Austin, Texas

Value every second

When I was spending nights walking the floor with my colicky baby daughter, I despaired over it. My mom tried to encourage me to see the positive wherever I could. “You’ll never get this time back,” she’d say. “It’s often difficult but your baby will never need you like she does now. In years to come, when she’s racing off to play without a backward glance, you’ll long to turn back the clock  – even to the times when she was cranky.” It’s so true!
Catherine Scott, Sarasota, Florida

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