More Things Mothers Say

I’m still answering messages readers are sending to me after I sent out a newsletter a few weeks ago. I asked them to share some things their mothers said when they were kids. One thing I’m finding out is that moms are wise and to the point and sometimes funny. Another thing I’m finding out is that many mothers say some of the same things to keep their kids in line, express frustration, to encourage and comfort, and more. So, it’s neat to share some of the comments I’m getting.

Besides, it gives me the chance to post another picture of mom. This is my sister and me with Mom many moons ago. She probably was around thirty-five. I might have been eight or nine, about the time I first started dreaming of being a writer. What a dream for a little farm girl! I don’t really remember her saying this, but she might have. “You can do anything you set your mind to.”

Hanna K. sent me this neat way her mom kept things interesting when Hanna was a kid and is still blessing Hanna with fun songs and quotes now.

 My mom often inserted quotes from books, or sang little songs–or changed lyrics to a song to fit a situation (and still does!) One particular special quite came from a Bernstein Bears book–“And that was that. All the blue car’s tires went flat.” It’s amazing how many situations can be described by that simple reference!

I love her “And that was that.” I guess when all the tires go flat, you have to find a new way of going or doing.

Myrtle S. shared this about her mother.

My Mommy used to tell me and my brother “wait is what broke the wagon down.” She never liked putting anything off. It was like she couldn’t rest until everything was taken care of so there was no procrastination allowed. As a kid I didn’t like it too much, but I have grown to appreciate the peace that comes when things are taken care of. 

That was something I’d never heard before, but it is very clever and true.

Gail’s mother said something that certainly often seems true of me when I’m trying to get things done. But no daughter has made me a wall hanging of it. Yet!

Mom always said “The hurrier I go the Behinder I get.” I graphed and cross-stitched that saying for her. It’s now at my house. When it was rainy and stormy outside she always said, “It’s  going to be a Drearer Drearer day!

And don’t we all hate those drearer drearer days?

Nancy J said what many of us could say about our mothers. You never wanted to hear her calling you by all your names.

What I do remember is that when I was in trouble, she would call me by both first and middle name. It was really scary if she called me by all three names. Or if she had to go through the list of names until she hit upon the right kid.

I do remember going through the list of names to get to the right one for my kids. I sometimes still do that, but not because they are in trouble. Merely because my tongue and brain don’t always cooperate!

It could be that Brenda M. heard her mom call all her names that day she got a little sassy. She tells about it here.

My mom would always say, “That’s a quarters worth” when we were doing something annoying like tapping our foot. When I got older, I got brave and responded, “Well, I’m going for fifty cents worth!” She was NOT amused! LOL 

Cynthia can finish it off this week with this quote that is so true for many mothers and children.

No one loves like your mother does!

I hope you had a loving mother or still have a loving mother.

Tomorrow, Thursday, I’m going to be posting a lot about writing and my books, especially The Song of Sourwood Mountain, on the Avid Readers of Christian Fiction on Instagram. Hope I can think of some interesting things to post.

What would my mother or one of your mothers say to encourage me or you?