Mother Knows Best

Over the years moms have shared their words of wisdom with us. And whether we like it or not, nothing can stop a mom from speaking her mind. We threw the question out to the Community Message Boards: What was the best life advice your mother has ever given you? Here are some of their responses.

The best

WOODSIDEMEMBER: She taught me to respect the elderly; never to argue with them and to listen to what they had to say. Now she is elderly and I try to do the same with her.

BADGER256: You don't have to eat everything on your plate, as long as you have at least one bite of everything.

CMVELASCO: Always make sure to dress appropriately when going out of the house. You never know who you may run into. God knows this was proven to be true more times than I could count.

SHERRI292200: I had a habit of telling people the value of items, or if things were fake instead of real. So she used to say, "If you don't tell anybody about the boil on your butt, they'll never know you have one." Words to live by!

Greatblueheron: My mother always tried to instill in me a strong sense of self and self-respect. I would be concerned about how I looked, and she would say, "That's why God put a pivot joint in the neck. If people don't want to look at you, they can turn their heads." That made me feel that the problem was with others, not me, and helped me ignore others’ hurtful comments.

PMPROM: When things get bad, I always think of my mom's saying, "Next year at this time, life will be better." I now tell my kids that and its gets us through lots of difficult times. Guess the same could be said of weight loss... next year at this time I'll be thinner and healthier.

FITMOMME: When I was a young, first-time mom, my mother gave me the best advice with regards to children: "Their needs before yours, but not their wants." Almost 16 years later and I still abide by that piece of wisdom.

LOVEMYTHREEKIDZ: Judge a man by the way he treats his mother, because that's the way he'll treat you someday.

SCHAPPS83: You can't change people. You can only change the way you act toward them.

MARCEY17: Stop tugging at your clothes, it makes you look uncomfortable and not confident.

ANNEG12: The best advice my mother gave me was right before I got married. She said, If your husband wants to help you with the childcare and housework let him do it. Even if he does it wrong.

MA.PA.DOLCE: Never forget your mother-in-law on Mother's Day.

KWHEALTHY: If someone tells you that you run like a girl, throw like a girl or do anything else like a girl, tell them you'll take that as a compliment. I follow this advice to the day.

SCOTTISHBLONDE: When in doubt, always wear your pearls.

The worst

ELBEE1211: Don't play sports or do strength training; boys won't want to date you if you look like you can beat them up.

GYPSYJILL (and at least a dozen other people): My mother has given me great advice, but the one pointer I wish she would have refrained from was: clean your plate!

The timeless classics

WOODSIDEMEMBER: Always wear clean underwear, in case you get in an accident.

BADGER256: Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.

RUTHGS: It is so easy to smile and say hello — a smile doesn't cost a thing and can make someone else's day. I am 71 years old and have always tried to follow her advice.

LINDIZZLE: When things are not going so well or if I am stressed out, she will say "this too shall pass".

KAYTEEBIRD: Never fry bacon naked.