10 things your mother was right about

AS children we may have believed that our mothers and grandmothers were being unreasonable and selfish when it came to things like discipline; sometimes we’d roll our eyes or zone them out intentionally because they always seemed to have something to say for every occasion. But as we got older we came to realise that all they were doing was trying to steer us away from making regrettable life decisions.

What are some of the things, in retrospect, that you realise your mother or grandmother was right about?

We compiled a list from the responses of 25 people, of 10 of the most common things.

Leave boys alone

Sometimes girls are so attracted by the physical appearance and the loving words coming from the lips of the opposite sex that they get fooled. The readers agreed that their mothers’ warnings of heartbreak and pregnancies were on point, and these could have been easily avoided if they had just listened.

‘If yuh want good yuh nose haffi run’

Parents are always quick to remind you that if you wish to be successful you must be willing to make sacrifices. The readers agreed that had it not been for this subtle encouragement, they probably would not have been as successful as they are today, as more often than not deciding to give up is more appealing than pressing on.

It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it

The tone and pitch of a person’s voice can change the understanding of a statement or question to the receiver. Mothers and grandmothers often scolded their children, not because what they were saying was insulting, but because the tone was disrespectful.

See and blind, hear and deaf

Being nosey was something that very few mothers/grandmothers tolerated. In fact, this was most unacceptable behaviour for children. However, some of the readers said that as adults they have come to value this lesson because it has helped them to avoid many misfortunes, especially as it relates to gossip.

Stay out of ‘woman company’

Women are often associated with drama. Some of the female readers said that women are often termed “mischief-makers” who thrive on gossip and lies because they want to be friends with people or just see other women fighting.

Don’t depen’ pon man

Depending on a man can mean that you will be forced to satisfy all his needs as well as being subjected to his maltreatment simply because he is taking care of all your needs. The readers have seen where women have been treated poorly by their partners because they were not working.

Good manners will take you through the world

Being polite to strangers as well as extending acts of kindness are values generally taught by mothers and grandmothers. They have often said that you may not know how you may enrich a person’s day, or the doors of opportunities that can be opened from one act of kindness or the people you may meet.

Don’t burn your bridges

You may have been warned about making rash decisions without thinking of the future. Endurance is key sometimes.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket

Even though your mind may have been made up and you prefer working at a particular place or you wanted to go to a particular college, always keep your options open. Never believe that anything at all is certain, and always look at a range of opportunities.

Don’t trust your shadow

Loyalty can be temporary, so can friendship, and as such great care must be exercised when sharing private matters even with the closest of friends, since betrayal can come from anywhere.