The lessons we learned from Mom

In anticipation of Mother’s Day next week, I thought

I would share a few lessons learned from my mom Dorothy, who was blessed and cursed with having three boys to raise with my dad.

Like most moms, she provided sage advice backed by a conventional upbringing with very strong traditional values.

My mother used many of the “momisms” that seem to be utilized by moms worldwide. Here are some that she used most often:

• Go to your room and think about what you did.

• Money does not grow on trees. • What if everyone jumped into the lake? Would you do it, too?

• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.

• Don’t put that in your mouth; you don’t know where it’s been!

• Be careful what you wish for, it might come true.

• It doesn’t matter what you accomplish, I’ll always be proud of you.

• I hope that when you grow up, you have kids just like you!

• Because I’m your mother, that’s why!

• If I’ve told you once, I’ve told you a thousand times.

• If you fall out of that tree and break your leg, don’t come running to me.

• Because I said so.

• Just wait till your father gets home.

• No dessert until you clean off your plate.

• I’ve got eyes in the back of my head.

• Don’t think I don’t know what’s going on.

• Just you wait until you have kids of your own; then you’ll understand.

I• slave for hours over a hot stove and this is the thanks I get?

• Bored! How can you be bored? I was never bored at your age.

• Go ask your dad (when we did, he would defer back to my mom).

• I used to walk to school uphill in the driving snow.

• I’ll give you something to cry about.

• What part of NO don’t you understand?

• You’ll miss me when I’m gone one day, trust me.

• Don’t make me pull this car over! • I’m not asking you, I’m TELLING you.

• I’m not going to ask you again.

• I can always tell when you’re lying.

• Be careful.

• Call me when you get there, just so I know you’re okay.

• I don’t care what the other kids’ parents said, I said no.

It was not so much the phrase that caught our attention but the meaning behind them. Most of these simply translated into, “you are my child and I want you to be safe from harm, think before you talk, and make good choices.”

Moms are special people and make a lasting impact on our lives.

Their work ethic, caring and ability to multi-task provide great lessons for anyone in business. They are tireless, tolerant and seemingly indestructible; amazingly coming back for more each day. Moms are pretty darn smart about life; it’s instinctive and their shared lessons are more impressive than any business management book ever written.

Mom, thanks for all your lessons you shared in the Perry household. Since you and other moms have the corner on the market for great oneliners, here is one for you from your three sons: WOW is MOM upside down.