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Life doesn’t come with a manual, it comes with a mother. I love this phrase, because it’s just so true. Where would we be without our mothers? They lift us up and keep us grounded. They stand by our side, cheer us on, and push us to reach our full potential. A mother’s love is unconditional.
We know this will be a Mother’s Day that stands out from all others, but it’s always the right time to celebrate the moms in our lives. My next column will focus on how coronavirus is impacting women — particularly mothers — but I wanted today to be all about celebration. To kick off the celebration, I asked a few of my girlfriends to share the best lessons they learned from their mothers. After all, mothers give the best advice and the truest advice, because they always tell it like it is. And we might not admit it in the moment — but at some point in your life, I guarantee you will think back and say, “Wow, my mom was right!”
Remember that you’re clever
Stephanie Porter and her mother
“When I was young, my mom always told me how ‘clever’ I was. She even had me practice saying it out loud. Now, whenever I’m in a difficult situation, I have this little voice in my head saying, ‘I’m sure I’ll figure this out; I’m clever.’”
Stephanie Porter, Partner, Advisory Practice, Ernst & Young LLP
Walk into rooms with your head held high
Bozoma Saint John and her mother
“My mom showed me (and told me) how to walk into rooms with my head held high displaying the richness of the beautiful culture I come from, and to never assimilate for the comfortability of someone else over my own.”
Bozoma Saint John, Chief Marketing Officer, Endeavor
Get an education
Linda Yaccarino and her mother
“My mother told me to get an education so you can be financially independent — and your shoes should always match your outfit.”
Linda Yaccarino, Chairman of Advertising and Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Always strive to do good in the world
Erica Keswin and her mother
“The best lesson I learned from my mom is to always strive to do good in the world – even when it’s hard. My mom was a social worker who served kids in the inner city – people who many ignore. She did it while she battled with severe mental illness. She taught me that being in service to others and giving back is something that is available to all of us – we just have to be intentional.”
Erica Keswin, Workplace Strategist and Author
Stay true to your beliefs
Laura Molen and her daughters, Gigi and Frankie
“Stay true to your beliefs. Her constant love and support has helped shape us into the young women we are today.”
Frankie and Gigi’s advice from their mother, Laura Molen, President, Advertising Sales and Partnerships, NBCUniversal
Advocate for yourself
Tara Walpert Levy and her mother
“‘If you don’t advocate for yourself, no one else will. It never hurts to ask.’ I learned the importance of self-advocacy from my mom, which has been so valuable to me across my whole life — from the Boardroom to the PTA to the hospital room.”
Tara Walpert Levy, Vice President, Google
Have confidence
Me and my wonderful mother
I am constantly inspired by and in awe of my own mother. She has accomplished so much in her lifetime, including raising four daughters. It’s impossible to pick a favorite gem of advice she’s given me (there are so many!) but two that have always stuck with me are:
“Always be true to yourself. Never give up your basic worth of who you are.
Have confidence. If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will.”
What’s your favorite piece of advice that you've learned from your mother?
