Words of wisdom from my mom end up coming out of my mouth…
By Kelly Hockenberry, Columnist, The Times
Mothering is part instinct, part learned behavior. This much we know is true. I have, on countless occasions, become so much like MY mother, we are almost indistinguishable. It doesn’t help that we walk, talk and look the same. Now, I find myself repeating verbatim her words of wisdom to my boys…
Kelly and her mom.
- It is unacceptable to call me “she” (as in, “she” told me that I didn’t have to put my laundry away). I am ONLY to be referred to as “Mom”, “Mother” or “Mommy”. Never in the third person.
- Sleepovers are stupid. You will end up with strep throat two days later, so don’t ask me. The answer is usually “no”.
- Make your bed as soon as you exit it. I understand that no one else will see it. I will see it, and that is all that matters.
- We don’t “dunk” cookies in milk, pizza crust in soda, etc.
- Self-expression is fun on Halloween; otherwise, conformity is just fine.
- Never drink out of a friend’s water bottle (see aforementioned strep throat concern)
- You can tell me until you are blue in the face what so-and-so’s mother is letting him do. I don’t care. Really.
- Always tell the truth. Because, I do have eyes in the back of my head and super-human hearing and I will find out.
- Be nice to your brother. Friends may come and go, but a sibling is a friend for life.
I think that the most important part of being a mother is to act like a parent NOW, so that you can be friends LATER. If you make decisions so that you will be perceived as “cool” it will end badly. Kids crave stability and consistency…even if they think they don’t.
I talk to my mom and two sisters multiple times per day. We are an inseparable group. I can only pray that my boys will remain as attached to me when they are parents.
Happy Mother’s Day! xoxo
