Fifty readers share the gems their mothers imparted

Mothers offered the best advice — even if we weren’t always open to accepting it. But years, or even decades later, those pithy lines echo in our heads and impact our actions. Fifty readers share the gems their mothers imparted

Congratulations to G.R. from Monsey, NY, who won our drawing

“When you have good news to share, tell your mother-in-law first.”

— Sorala, Southfield, MI

“Always cook a little extra, you never know when a meshulach (collector) may pop in.”

— Shulamith Katz, Lakewood, NJ

“Never leave a bottle of oil uncovered.”

— R.W.

“Her shoes must be too tight.”

That’s what my mother would say whenever someone would say something hurtful to me. She meant that people only speak that way because they’re unhappy or pained about something in their own life.

— S.L., Lakewood, NJ

“Your frustration is coming from unrealistic expectations.”

My mother was nifteres seven years ago, but I still hear her voice in my head.  When I was raising my young children, I’d often call her in frustration over the fact that they weren’t doing what they should be doing and that things weren’t happening the way I would have liked them to happen. For example, the house was messy, they didn’t get to bed on time, their teachers complained about their behavior. You get the picture.

My mother would say, “You’re raising young kids. They’re not perfect human beings. You’re feeling so frustrated because you have unrealistic expectations of yourself and your children.” It’s amazing how this one comment totally calmed me down, and continues to calm me down whenever I feel my frustration level rising.

— Surie Reich, Brooklyn, NY