Parent-isms

Parents are full of wisdom, and every family has their own sayings. However, there are some universal ‘parentisms,’ which, no matter how hard you try, you eventually find yourself saying.

Here are a few of the best:

“Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
Well, there’s a bit of a technicality here. Parents mean that money isn’t always freely available, but there is a natural component to paper money, so smart-alec kids can argue the point (if they feel brave enough).

A wee aside about money:  more than 20% of divorced people say that their divorces were caused by disagreements money.

“If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.”

This is a goodie – and soon after your children have siblings (or you meet your in-laws), this little gem is often trotted out. It is a good way to live, unless you have ‘constructive criticism’ to offer (which is rare).

Sometimes you do need to speak your mind, but it is always best to do it when you are calm and have thought carefully about both sides of your point.

“Honesty is the best policy.”

This is a tough one, when followed by the former statement. Honesty is always preferable to dishonesty, but you still need to choose your words wisely – honesty is often still subjective.

“Sticks and stones will break your bones, but words will never hurt you.”

This one is simply not true, but the intention behind it is that you can only allow other people’s words to affect you if you choose to. Everyone should learn to choose their words wisely, kindly and fairly.

“The early bird gets the worm.”
…but the second mouse gets the cheese.

If you want to encourage recalcitrant teenagers into action, this phrase probably won’t do the job, but it hasn’t stopped countless parents from trying! Or, as my son quite rightly pointed out when I trotted it out, “I’m not a bird Mum, and I don’t want a worm.”

“You’re too young to understand/When you’re older, you’ll understand.”

This is maddening to hear when you consider yourself mature and independent. However, with the benefit of hindsight, parents are usually 100% on the money with this one. Darn it.

“Finish your dinner, there are starving kids all over the world!”

This is true, but it doesn’t mean you child’s leftovers can be packaged up and sent. Maybe it would be best to let children serve themselves, with some healthy parameters. Finishing everything on one’s plate is also linked to over-eating, so it’s a rather double-edged sword.

“You can’t judge a book by its cover.”
One of the earliest cited sources using this phrase is a 1860 novel by Mary Ann Evans (better known as George Eliot), entitled The Mill on the Floss, which coincidentally had a pretty boring cover. Good first impressions count, but an open mind is still important.

“You’re only young once.”

On average, people surveyed believe that old age begins around 68. However, those over 65 years old felt that old age began at 75. So if that perception is correct, you are young once, but for a long period of time! (I’m willing to bet, too, that people over 75 think they are still young and that people over 85 are old).