Life lessons on Mother’s Day: what we have learned from our mums | Letters

Letters: Readers recall advice from their mothers – and fathers – on navigating the world

I so enjoyed Tim Dowling’s article on advice from his mother (My mother’s best advice: learn to raise one eyebrow at the world, 11 March). My own mother died in October and, while she never gave me any advice about facial expressions, she certainly taught me the importance of seeing the absurd in the world around us and to take pleasure in that, but without mocking, criticising or belittling. A metaphorical raise of the eyebrow, if you will, and something that I still reflect on.
David Nancarrow
Marlborough, Wiltshire

• Regarding words of wisdom from mothers, a friend’s mum taught her to recite the mantra “Bus pass, dinner money, homework, handkerchief” whenever she left the house to go to school. It still applies in principle. The first two have been replaced by a phone and credit card, the third by reading specs. But the necessity of a simple handkerchief has stood the test of time. Thank you, Mrs Moss.
Caroline Alexander
Sevenoaks, Kent

• In addition to the strong maternal advice reported by your readers (Letters, 12 March), bad luck is caused by letting knife blades cross on the table, putting new shoes on the table, and ascenders and descenders crossing on the stairs. Navigating life – phew!
Jonathan Hauxwell
Crosshills, North Yorkshire

• I doubt if my wife was given advice by her mother about airing her underwear (Letters, 11 March). I do know that both our mothers were not pleased with our choice of partners, partly because they knew we were going to become members of the clergy as Salvation Army officers. We are glad we were not put off and, like Felicity Randall, celebrated our 60th anniversary this year.
Bob George
Tiverton, Devon

• Congratulations to Felicity Randall on her special anniversary, demonstrating that mother’s advice isn’t always best. It brought back a funny memory. On leaving the house, my mum used to ask me if had clean knickers on and a hanky. Her rationale was that it was in case you got knocked over.
Chris Walters
Buxton, Derbyshire

• What a legacy our mothers leave us. Every time I empty the dishwasher I hear mine say: “Don’t put it down, put it away.” I wonder what wisdom my children will inherit from me.
Helen Keating
Gatehouse of Fleet, Dumfries and Galloway

• My mum, who lived to be nearly 104, when told about any item of news of which she had been unaware, always said: “If it isn’t in the Guardian, it’s not true.” I have inherited the same attitude, no doubt to the tedium of others.
Elisabeth Lonsdale
Rossendale, Lancashire

• One thing that my mother told me: “Son, if things don’t change, they’ll stay the way they are.” I have never been able to prove her wrong.
Peter Lester
Nottingham

• My mother’s best advice was to take no notice of other people’s mothers.
Jonathan Harris
Poundon, Buckinghamshire

• Never mind words of wisdom from my mother, I’ll never forget the words of wisdom that came from my father: “Listen to your mother.”
Ben Johncock
Norwich, Norfolk

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