11 Crazy-Wonderful Things My Mom Taught Me

Hey guys, guess what? I freaking love my Mom. I know, I know. Everyone thinks they have the best Mom in the world (and hey, we’re ALL right) but seriously; I have the best Mom ever. As I grow older, we grow closer and closer and closer. You wouldn’t think you could, but you do. We relate more. We talk more (after moving out – go figure). We appreciate each other’s company more.

Of course, there really isn’t anything like a mother-daughter relationship. There are so many ups and so many downs (like, a crazy number of downs… particularly in high school… sorry Mom!) But you get through it all, battle scars and wounds heal up, and your left with a much stronger bond.

Okay, this isn’t meant for me to go through all the tough times, but they are simply worth mentioning. Because no matter how many times we’ve argued or bickered or straight up screamed, I’ve learned lessons through it all. Life lessons that have shaped me into the person I am today, and that will stick with me for the rest of my life. And someday, I will pass these gems down to my own daughter.

 

Oh, and spoiler alert: Moms are always right (in my case, anyway!)

#1: Be kind to all living things. Every mom teaches her daughter kindness and compassion – my Mom included. Except, my Mom continued to inspire me well into my twenties. You see, she’s been a vegan for seven years. Guess who followed in her compassionate footsteps? You guessed it. Like mother, like daughter.

#2: Don’t undermine your talents. I’m a writer, and all of my Mom’s friends know that. How? Obviously because she shouts it loud and proud. She always tells everyone the same story about how I would make her the daily newspaper as a kid. Fast forward to now: I’m a Content Manager, blogger, and published writer. When a short story of mine was published back in high school, she made sure she showed everyone that piece. The same goes for my first novel – the lady bought like 10 copies. And I can’t even try to brush any of it off like it’s no big deal – or else she goes on a rant about how it took her at least 20 minutes to write my elementary school teacher a simple sick day note. I’ll never hear the end of it, but that’s fine. Thanks for always singing my praises, Mama!

#3: Keep a tidy house. I didn’t realize the power of a clean house until I recently became a first-time homeowner. Holy crap, how did this lady get anything done ASIDE from cleaning every room in the house? Our home was always well-decorated and tidy. Now, every Saturday morning I get up nice and early and get to scrubbing. There’s no better feeling than a clean house. Thanks for making me showing me how to scrub toilets, Ma!

 

#4: Stop worrying about boys. I’ll be the first to admit that I was a little boy crazy back in the day. My Mom would say, “Bianca! Stop being so boy crazy. No one likes a boy crazy girl.” Oh, what do you know, old lady. LOL Everything, apparently. I’ve cried one too many times over boys who did not matter. Boys who didn’t last. Boys who didn’t make any significant mark on my life. God, I cannot wait to break this one to my daughter someday. While I don’t like to have “regrets,” I definitely wish I spent more time being independent and loving myself and less time crying in my room.

#5: Never go to bed with make-up on. This is a small one, but an important one. My skin has its ups and downs, like most, but I truly believe that my strict skin care regiment is responsible for my healthy complexion. She taught me young, and you best believe I will be passing this on to my kiddos!

#6: Laugh it up. Our household was always full of laughs. No one takes themselves too seriously in my family. My mom and I in particular have quite a few embarrassing inside jokes that are for our ears only… and sometimes I’ll laugh out loud thinking about them. It really taught me how to laugh at myself. I feel very fortunate to have a mother who is so candid and open.

#7: Sit down and eat dinner. “Sit down and put your phone down.” Ugh, I hated that some nights. But guess who was right again? We ate a sit-down family meal until I moved out of the house. Now I miss it like crazy. But don’t worry, we have family dinner’s at my place all the time. Like a few weeks ago:

 

Oh, and shout out for showing me how to host a great dinner party!

#8: Suck it in and stand up straight. AKA good posture. It oozes strength and confidence – wouldn’t you want people to think when they see you? I do! Sometimes when I look around and notice people with bad posture, I chuckle. Their moms must not have drilled it into their brains like my mine did. Oh, Mom.

#9: Take care of yourself. My mom always told me to get up and get ready for the day, even if I have nowhere to be. It’s okay to veg out every once in a while, but it’s amazing what a good pair of jeans and little make-up can do for your mood. She’s right.

 

#10: Your sister is your best friend. “But wait, this post is about how your mom is basically your best friend, right?” Well, right. I guess I have two best friends. Consider us the Three Musketeers. My Mom always made sure my sister and I were being nice to one another. In fact, when we would bicker and fight as kids, she would sit us in two chairs opposite one another. And we’d just stare at each other. She wouldn’t let us get up until we started laughing. Then we’d run off and play. #ParentingWin

#11: The meaning of friendship. Back in high school, I would have named 4 or 5 girls when someone asked who my best friend was. Now, it’s a different story. My best friend is my Mom (and my sister – Hi, T!) She’s shown me what it means to be there no matter what, and she will always be in my corner. She’ll always be my very best friend.

Oh Mom, you’re simply the best. I love you.