Top Five "Mom-isms" That Turned Out To Be True

Be honest. At some point between the age of five and twenty you thought to yourself "Whatever, Mom. You're full of crap!" For those of you who were stupid enough - or brave enough depending on your perspective - to actually say it out loud, I hope the cuff upside the head you received doesn't still sting. But we all at least thought it. Now, years later, I've realized - for the most part - Mom was right and I was a bratty teenager. So, in honor of Mother's Day, here's my Top Five "Mom-isms" That Turned Out To Be True!

"Keep it up and your face will freeze that way!"

While this one isn't literally true, it does hold a nugget of truth in it. Ever notice how people who scowl a lot seem like their face is frozen that way? These same people seem to be upset all the time. The opposite holds true for people who smile a lot. So, to sum up frozen scowl = perpetually angry and constant smile = perpetually happy. Coincidence? Maybe, but what have you really got to lose by trying to freeze your face in a smile?

"They put their pants on one leg at a time just like you."

To paraphrase Jerry Seinfeld, "Would it really be that amazing if someone could put their pants on both legs at a time?" The day you discover you have this ability is not going to be the day that Stan Lee shows up at your door to remind you that "With great power comes great responsibility." But Mom's point is valid. Where it counts, we're all equal and deserve to be treated as such. And like all of Mom's best lessons this teaches two things at once. It was Mom's way of reminding you that you are special but don't get a big head about it.

"Deal with it."

This one comes in many forms depending on the mom and the situation. Other's like this include "Because I said so," "It is what it is," and a personal favorite, "Cowboy Up." The philosophical gist of this one is: in life there are things you can control and things outside of your control, whatever comes at you, you just have to handle it. Take responsibility for your own actions and don’t sweat the things you can't control. A cruder version of this one - "Shit Happens."

"If everybody jumped off a bridge would you do that too?"

Hands down on this one, Mom was right. Doing something because a bunch of other people do it is perhaps the stupidest reason to do something. It is also an inadequate and ridiculous defense for doing something that you shouldn't have. Nobody sounds more like a whiny five-year-old than when they say "But everybody does it!"

"You'll thank me later!"

I can't even begin to count the things my mom either made me do or wouldn't let me do that I thought were stupid at the time. I don't know if she always said "You'll thank me later," but it was always sort of implied. I would estimate 99.9% of the time, mom was right, I did thank her later. At least, I should thank her. Even if I've never said the words, I think she knows. On behalf of all former bratty teenagers: thanks to Moms every where for their time honored wisdom! Sorry it took us so long to listen to you.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!