The Lessons We Learn From Our Mothers

Will Impact Us in More Ways Than One

This Mother’s Day, I want to talk about two important lessons my mother taught me and what my wife has taught our children: learning how to become independent and trying new things. Although these may seem like small lessons that everyone teaches their kids, these lessons can impact their lives through adulthood. These tools helped me in all aspects of my life, and I hope they will help my daughters as well.

When I grew up, my mom was the one who disciplined me and my siblings. Likewise, my wife is the one who mainly disciplines our children.

My mother told me and my siblings that if we wanted something, we should go out there and get it. She didn’t want us complaining about the things we wished we had. It’s no one else’s responsibility but ours to go after what we want. This lesson made me become independent. It helped me fight for the things I believe in and what I’ve wanted. Instead of wishing about something, I went out there and worked toward getting it. I think this is a lesson everyone should learn because at the end of the day; you can only rely on yourself.

Building independence at a young age allows your child to have a sense of importance and belonging, which is essential for building social relationships and contributing to their community. It also promotes the development of self-awareness and sensitivity toward others. The skills I learned from being independent at an early age have helped me tremendously in my personal and professional life. My oldest daughter just took her driver’s license test and is now on the road. By teaching her how to be independent, she is confident to travel on her own, and she can depend on herself.

You may have a child who’s old enough to drive and have a job, or they are applying for colleges. By teaching them how to be independent, it will give them the courage to take chances and complete tasks on their own. I’m thankful that my mother taught me how to chase after what I want. It has impacted my life in so many ways.

My wife also taught my kids this lesson as well as the importance of trying new things. This first started with food. My kids will eat everything — they aren’t picky eaters! I have to credit my wife for this because she has always encouraged them to try new things even if they initially think they won’t like it. How does this apply to new experiences outside of food as well?

Since my kids aren’t afraid to eat anything, this mindset of trying new things can be applied to anything in their lives: beginning a hobby, learning something new, going to a place they’ve never seen before, or developing other skills. Trying new things allows you to remove your fears and expand your mind to learn something about a person, place, or thing — or even yourself.

I’m fortunate that I had a mother who helped me develop skills that I still use today; it helped me become the person I am, and I’m grateful for that. I’m also honored to have such an amazing wife who is a fantastic mother to our girls. I hope that my daughters can use these skills of being independent and trying new things to apply these practices to their lives now and as they get older.

Happy Mother’s Day!