Moms are great. They love you unconditionally but can also drive you absolutely nuts. But as it turns out, when they’re driving you nuts, it’s usually because they’re saying something you don’t want to hear. Moms are honest. My mom and I have this joke that she’s like Monica’s mother from the show "Friends" since she’s so critical sometimes. But the truth is, as much as I hate to admit it, most of the time I appreciate her criticisms. Because more often than not, she knows what she’s talking about, and she’s only trying to help. I realize that now. Just like I’ve realized she was right about these ten things:
1. College goes by quickly.
Boy, was she right about that one. Everyone has always said that—not just my mom. It’s hard to believe that it could go by fast when you first move in, considering the first semester felt like the longest four months of my life. But before you know it you're getting ready for your senior year when you still feel like a sophomore. To be honest, I think I’m still in denial about it.
2. You’ll regret not learning to play the piano.
This one caught me off guard. When I was eight years old, sprawled out on the piano bench, refusing to practice, it seemed hard to believe that I would ever regret going through such torture. When she told me I could quit, I was absolutely elated. That is, until she embedded a sense of guilt, assuring me that I would regret it later. After a few minutes of contemplation, I blew it off. It never crossed my mind until about eight years later when I thought to myself, I wish I could play the piano.
3. You shouldn’t take yourself too seriously.
This requires some explanation. Of course, you should take yourself seriously to a certain degree, otherwise no one else will. But you also need to be able to laugh at yourself. This is something she has said throughout my entire life, but I never really grasped that concept until a few years ago. In middle school and high school, an embarrassing moment felt like the end of the world. Once I got to college, I realized that there will always be embarrassing moments, and everyone says something stupid every once in a while. It’s better to get over it than to let it take over. Life is better when you’re not worrying about what already happened.
4. You shouldn’t wear that outfit out of the house.
I thought I looked cool, but thinking back on it now, I definitely looked like a total idiot. Although I made a fuss about it at the time, she saved me from some ugly, embarrassing pictures that would have haunted me forever. Thanks, Mom.
5. You look like a raccoon.
This is another time she spared me from unfortunate pictures. I really did look like a raccoon. Most people do when they first start wearing makeup. Of course, I was deeply offended when she said this, but I think some part of me knew she was right.
6. It’s generally safe to judge someone based on how they treat their mom.
I guess I never doubted my mom on this one, but I never saw it first-hand until recently. Then I realized, it’s totally true. Anyone who is rude to their mom is usually rude to other people, too. Sometimes it may not appear that way when you first meet someone, but give it time. Sometimes it takes reaching a new level of friendship or relationship for the rude, mean qualities to come out. Of course, we’ve all had those moments where we lash out at the people we love, simply because we know they’ll always be there. But it’s the people who do it on a regular basis who you should look out for.
7. It’s healthy to date at least a few different people.
Not at the same time, of course. This one is really hard to believe immediately after your first serious breakup. I was annoyed when she told me this because I didn’t even want to think about dating other people. But, like everything else, I now realize she was right. Dating different people not only allows you to understand yourself better, but it also makes your future relationships stronger since you won’t be thinking about what you could be missing out on.
8. You should put on more sunscreen.
As it turns out, just because you don’t feel that warm doesn’t mean you aren’t burning. I would have spared myself from a great deal of pain and peeling skin if I had actually listened. I have also realized that although it seems like it’s worth it to be tan, it’s not cool to make yourself more prone to skin cancer! She was right about that, too.
9. You’ll like coffee once you get to college.
This one came true a little earlier than college. When I was younger, I couldn’t understand why someone would purposely drink something so bitter and disgusting. But what do you know? A few years later I was addicted. A part of me wishes she had been wrong about this one. I’m embarrassed to reveal the percentage of my earnings that Starbucks has sucked out of my wallet in the past six years. I’ll spare you from bending over to pick up your jaw from the floor.
10. You’ll be okay.
Seriously. If your mom is telling you that you’ll be okay, you should believe her. No matter how sticky the situation is, there is a solution. There is a way to handle it. I have found this out countless times when I thought my life was over. Whatever I was stressing out about, my mom assured me that I would be fine, and she was right. I'm fine. And you will be, too.
