The best advice I have ever received has been from my mother. My mother is not famous. Her words of wisdom are not in Macmillan’s Dictionary of Quotations. But my mother is still wise.
Mother’s know best, they really do.
The best advice my mother gave me was to not cancel plans with one friend when something more interesting came along. She also told me to wear a sock around my neck when I had a cold.
I asked fellow writers for the best advice their mothers gave them.
Mother said: Writers share their Mother’s best advice
When criticism comes, consider the source, because rude people don’t say nice things. So if they are rude to you, it’s them, not you. Wisdom from my mom, Jan Morris.
Chris Morris – chrismorriswrites.com
The “L” in “love” stands for “listen.” (When I asked how she could listen to my dad go on and on about a boring, to me, engineering project.) Her name is Marsha.
Amy Young – messymiddle.com
My mother (Carmella Naccarato Smith) taught me to always be honest, even if it is painful. She said it builds strong character. And she’s right.
Staci Troilo – stacitroilo.com
She taught me to be kind to myself. At night when my mind would spin, she would firmly tell me, “Dee Dee, that’s enough thinking for tonight. Go take a shower and go to bed. Everything will look better in the morning.
Deanne Michelle Welsh- eclecticwaters.com
My Mom, Norma Boeckler, showed me what love looked like when she willingly took care of my Dad throughout his chronic illness. Instead of telling me what love was, she demonstrated it with her actions: love IS a verb.
Maria Morgan – mariamorgan.com
When I was old enough to date, my mom handed me a crisp, folded $20.00 and said, “Allways keep $20.00 stashed in your wallet.
Marilyn Luinsta – www.marilynluinstra.com
My mom, Linda, taught me how to sing to Jesus at night when I was scared in the dark and afraid to go to sleep. We picked a favorite song and learned it together. Then she sang it with me every night.
Brianna Rwasson – www.briannaRwasson.com
If you’re not early, you’re late! My mom, Teresa, instilled in me the value of punctuality and respecting the time of others. Growing up, we were always the first to any event. To this day I hate being late for anything.
Stacy Clafin – www.stacyclaflin.com
My mom taught me (through her five year battle with breast cancer) to look for the beauty even in the midst of your struggle/trial/pain. She went home to be with the Lord when I was 18. Now she’s playing Scrabble with Jesus…one day I will join them.
Eileen Knowles – eileenknowles.com
Begin as you mean to continue. Of course, she’s also a big fan of, If you’ve got it, flaunt it.
Lisa Hall-Wilson – lisahallwilson.com
My mom always said, “Just ask, the worst they will ever say is no.:
Troy McLaughlin – Twitter – @thenofactor
My mom said SO MANY good things. One of the best was, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.”
Barbara Drewry – emptynestmomma-wordpress.com
Think before you say or do anything… I had to learn this the hard way … several times. BUT, nonetheless, it’s the best thing my mother has ever told me.
Devani Anjali Alderson – devanialjali.com
My mom used to say “There’s no fool like an old fool.” I don’t want to be an old fool, or any other kind of fool. Proverbs 28:26 says “Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.”
Kathleen Caron – kathleencaron.com
“Don’t react. When they are rude, treat them normally. That way, they look like the bad guy. Not you.” I’ve never forgotten that. Her name is Barbara Thiessen. Perhaps, not the most profound piece of advice she’s ever given me, but the one that stuck.
Erika Simone – erikasimone.com
My mom was always good about reminding me to take care of myself. Whenever, I would begin to get overwhelmed or weary, she would say, “Do yourself a favor, and go to bed early.”
Emily Buller – whispersofwonder.com
My mother used to say “Be kind, tenderhearted in love forgiving one another.” She taught me to be kind and caring to others even sacrificially as she did in the jungles of Africa. I have since adopted seven teenagers from poverty.
Sharon Rose Gibson – 15minutewriter.com
Trust your feelings. But don’t always act on them.
Joe Bunting – thewritepractice.com
Take care of your health, don’t make friends too quickly and don’t let anyone put you down. I miss her a lot.
Sylvia Jones – thehaikucorner.com
Wear clean underwear. They might have to cut them off you at the hospital.
Laura McCoy – germanedel.blogspot.com
My mom, Janie Clark, taught me commitment and how to not fight with my husband. “If Daddy says ‘No’ then don’t ask me because my answer is ‘No’ too. We’re on the same team.”
Anastacia Maness – rocksolidfamily.com
Thank you to all the writers who shared the best advice their mother every gave them.
What was the best advice your mother gave you?
Please share in the comments.
