3 Things I Learned From My Mom
In lieu of Mother’s Day this weekend, I thought it would be fun to write a themed post dedicated to my own Mom. Deb reads my blog- I catch her snooping sometimes, while other times she’ll see something I wrote about and make a comment to me. Either way, she should feel extra special to have an entire post dedicated to her, right?
Back when Borders was going out of business, they had a big sale, so I picked up a few books at half-off. One of those books was full of tips and tricks on a variety of issues, including how to get red wine stains out of clothes, how to get over a breakup and how to dress for your body shape. It got me thinking, “Wow, my Mom has taught me a lot of these little things.” Although they may seem silly or small, the truth is that they have helped me in a variety of situations and will continue to do so in the future. With that being said, here are some words of wisdom from my very own mother- some are silly, some are serious and some are just plain genius!
Never over-pluck your eyebrows
My mom always stressed that full eyebrows looked better, and noted that hers will never grow back in fully because she over-plucked hers in her younger years. Although sometimes I’d go a little pluck-happy (and she would be the first to notice and scold me!), I’ve kept mine fairly full and avoided the “constantly surprised” look that tons of girls have.
Use ice cubes to get rid of indents on carpets from furniture
Every year when we take down our Christmas tree, the stand leaves these ugly indents in our carpet. This also happens when you move around furniture in a room. My mom always placed an ice cube over each of the indents and let them melt. Within a day or two, the indents went away the carpet looked like new. Who knew?
Don’t care what other people think
Although I’ve always had a hard time with this one, it’s so true. In college and the years after, I became very concerned with what people thought of me. When a girl hated me for no reason, I felt upset. When a guy made a joke about me being too thin, I would cry. I cared a lot about what people thought of me and it made me anxious and unhappy. After a particular issue with a group of girls plotting against me for no reason, I vented to my Mom in the car. She told me, “Who cares what these people think? They aren’t the type of people you WANT to hang out with and be friends with, right? True friends and good people won’t say those things about you or act that way. You’re too mature for their immature ways”. Shes’s right- don’t let people who don’t matter control your life.
What are some life lessons- silly or serious- that your mother has taught you?
Lol on the eyebrows! My mom urged the same thing. I didn’t listen, but luckily I learned my lesson early enough for them to grow back… After my pencil-thin 19th year. 😉
haha exactly!
I did not know the ice cube trick, I should use that!
I love this, what a sweet tribute to your mum for mother’s day. My mum told me the same thing about over plucking eyebrows. In relation to the ice cubes that is actually pretty smart, I’ll give that a try. The third one is about the most important in life and something I still struggle with a lot.
Thanks!
Your mom seem like a wise lady, my mom taught me to live my life may way and not on other people’s standards. She also taught me the importance of eating healthy.
Very true!
I love the ice cube trick and will try it out later 🙂 how practical hahaha. Thanks for this advice :-). And I really like what she thinks that you should no longer care about people’s approval or what they think.
This post is so sweet! What a nice tribute to your mom. My mom has also taught me a lot of little life lessons that have stuck with me, including not caring what people think. And also how to cook delicious Mexican food.
Thank you!
This is so sweet Rachel! Love that she taught you to never over pluck…what god advice!
What a sweet post! My mom has taught me a million things and I’ve learned that she is ALWAYS right.
Love this!
My mom taught me that your toenails should always be polished when wearing sandals, gloves and scarves/hats should always match, and if you’re going to be trying things on in a store (and potentially need help from the salespeople), bra and underwear should match too. 😉
YES to the first one!
Yay, I love this 🙂 what a great idea for a post and what great tips/lessons you learned from your mom.
This is such an adorable post! Your mom will LOVE it 🙂 My mom signed up on feedburner so she now reads my blog every day and is my biggest fan 😉 I love what your mom taught you! Go her! Hope you and your mom have a wonderful weekend!
That’s so cute! Mine just checks it everyday or every-other day- I think Feedburner is too “advanced” for her 😛
Love these! My mom is so similar with the 1st and 3rd but I’ve never heard the 2nd. What a cool trick! Gotta love moms!
Great tips! Love the don’t over pluck tip – my mom said that to me growing up too.
The ice cube trick.. who knew!? I love it and I’m totally going to use that, thank your mom for me! 🙂
I will!
That is some great advice! One thing my mom taught me was that I am in control of my own happiness. She says that happiness is a choice, so I can choose to be happy no matter what else is going on in my life. Not the easiest thing to do, but I try to work at it everyday!
That is very true!
Ha! My mom told me to never over pluck my brows too. It took me awhile to actually listen. 🙂
I’m loving all the Mother’s Day-themed posts on all of the sites! You and your mom look so much alike. She’s beautiful! And never overplucking your eyebrows ia THE golden rule.
Everyone tells me that! haha
oh yah the ice cube trick, love that!! you and your mom look so similar. what a great tribute to her!
thanks Meg!
This is cute! Thanks for the ice cube trick Deb!!
haah I will tell her!
this is so cute! i’ve never heard of that ice cube trick but i love it!
I’ve never heard of that trick before! I’ll have to use that for sure. I obviously didn’t listen to my mom about the eyebrows thing. Darn.
I think we all had our phase with that 😛
My mom always said the same thing about eyebrows! Cheers to not overplucking.
Awe, so sweet!! Love the picture of you and your mom!! And she is a smart woman…A+ advice!! My my taught me to have class, hold my head high and have unconditional love and sacrifice.
What a sweet post! I had never heard of the ice cube trick before… thanks for sharing!
I love this post, we definitely have a lot to learn from our moms. Love this mix of lessons!
Your mom gave great advice! I’ve never heard of the ice cube thing but its good to know 🙂
I think it’s so important to not dwell on what others think! I love the saying that goes something like, you may be the sweetest, ripest peach on the tree, but there will always be someone who doesn’t like peaches!
Such a great quote!
You can use a pencil eraser to get tape of a mirror or window, or as a back for an earring. Pine sol can be used in very soiled laundry, such as towels or rugs– I suggest the Lavender or Lemon scents. When painting a room put a freshly cut onion in there to get rid of the smell. Tumble dry pillows in a hot tumble dryer once a week for 15 minutes to freshen them and get rid of dust mites… Oh and love the ice tip– never heard that and usually us Southern Gals know all the cool stuff 🙂
Oh wow those are very helpful!
Oh goodness.. I’ve got so many to share, glad you found them helpful girly! My fiance works for a United Carrier (moving company) and I told him about the ice trick– he had never heard of it and was happy to be able to help his clients with that trick because apparently it’s something that is mentioned often!
Love this post! Our moms teach so many good life lessons – great picture of the 2 of you!!!
thanks Heather!
Amazing post! Whether we realize it or not, moms always teach the most valuable lessons. PS, thank your mom for the rug + indent tip, super helpful!
I just read your Mom’s Day post as well!
Moms always have the best advice!
Aw love this advice. Moms do know best! I never knew about the ice trick. Wow! Great to know.
Aren’t moms the best? While it took me YEARS my mom gave me similar advice about not caring what people had to say and not letting them get to me. One of the best lessons I learned.
p.s. great tip about the ice!