My parents always told me ...

@paula27661 (15811)
Australia
April 29, 2009 1:53am CST
My parents always told me to eat my dinner. It didn't matter what kind of day I was having or what problem was ailing me food was always the answer! They're Italian; maybe it's in their culture. I fell off my bike all battered, bruised and mortified and my mother cleaned up my wounds and made me a sandwich; all I wanted was a cuddle! "Mangia!" (Eat!) was their favourite saying. What is the one thing your parents always told you?
13 people like this
34 responses
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
There are many things which my mother always told me when I was still small that I never forget till I grew up. But there is one thing about eating which I cannot forget, that is, "eat whatever is served on the table". We were not made to complain what food she prepared for us and we have to eat it.
2 people like this
@sacmom (14192)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I wasn't supposed to complain either, but I didn't have to eat it. Of course, that usually meant I couldn't eat anything else, so it was best if I ate what was served at the time.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
Sounds like my parents, the plate had to be left clean! Thanks dorisday!
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@sacmom (14192)
• United States
29 Apr 09
My parents (mostly my mother) used to always tell me to sit up straight when I was little. She told me it so much that when I sit now I tend to sit up straight automatically. LOL I'm thankful that my parents never told me to eat for any reason at all (their obviously not Italian! LOL). They didn't force me to eat nor did I have to finish everything that was on my plate. However, if I did happen to put too much on my plate and I couldn't finish it my mom would tease me and say that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. LOL I do the same thing with my kids as well. I don't force them to eat everything on their plate. If they are full, I don't force the issue. I also tend to remind my youngest to sit up straight as well. Hmm, it looks like these 2 things have stuck with me. Old habits die hard. LOL
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@sacmom (14192)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I know what you mean. The older I get the more I sound like my mother. I even look like her when I'm angry. Now that's scary! LOL
2 people like this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 Apr 09
That has reminded me that I was told to sit up straight too. My mother used to say 'Take Charlie off your back' and I never did find out who Charlie was
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@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
I don't force my daughter to eat everything either, I don't think focusing on food so much is healthy. I sound like my mother sometimes; it's quite scary!Thanks for responding samcom!
2 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
29 Apr 09
I think of course being cautious while playing was one of the most advised things. Of course that and eating vegetables, etc, and being nice to our relatives as well as our friends. It's just a parental thing, though, and I mean while I didn't understand, I don't blame them now.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
It all makes sense when you grow up especially if you have your own children, thanks for responding SomeCowgirl!
• Philippines
28 May 09
Study well! That's what they always tell to me and my siblings.
1 person likes this
• Philippines
28 May 09
definitely not a bad advice. So what do we get from heeding their advice? Very good grades.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
28 May 09
Not bad advice, I wish I had studied more...Thanks for the response AltheGreat2430!
@VANILLAREY (1470)
• India
28 May 09
Parents have their own way of caring. This can change depending on the country the person lives in. Some parents would carress the childs head or back, or give a kiss on the cheeks or forehead. In your case its giving good food to their children. I don't see anything wrong or funny.
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
28 May 09
My parents certainly have their own unique ways that's for sure! It is a cultural thing with Italians and food I think; it is their way of demonstrating that they care; they love you therefore they feed you...A lot! Personally I would have liked less food and more affection. Thanks for responding VANILLAREY.
@parthu28 (498)
• India
1 May 09
hey paula it seems our mothers are sailing in the same ship........ even for my mother the favorite thing is to ask me to eat.all day long at around an interval of 1/2 an hour she keeps asking me eat something or the other....... i think it is in every mothers blood.....
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 May 09
Some mothers associate food with love I think! Whatever ails will be cured by a good feed! Thanks parthu!
@qiao522 (449)
• China
29 Apr 09
put on your clothes! Huhhuh... It's kind of lovely. They always worry about us being cold, hungry, injured or not. That is what parents do I think. So, you are Italian, right? I just love your country and always want to visit it. I hope there is a chance in the future.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
I am Italian but I live in Australia. I haven't been back to Italy for a few years, hope to get there not too long from now. Parents will always treat us like babies no matter how old we are! Thanks qiao522!
1 person likes this
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 Apr 09
'eat your crusts - they will make your hair curly'... So I did, I always ate them and my hais is as straight as... you name it! All I got for eating all those crusts was pounds, not the sort you can spend at the supermarket but the ones that hang on in there and seem to grow even just looking at something fattening! Aaargh!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
Can't believe everything mum and dad say! My dad told me that chewing gum was made from old tennis shoes and I believed him for years! thanks mysdianait!
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@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 Apr 09
My mother didn't want us to chew gum either. I can't remember what she said but we didn't eat it so it must have been something very off-putting. Yoghurts too were off-limits and I never di figure out why. Different generations I guess. I am a parent too though my 'baby' is now grown up. I was the opposite when he was younger. I advised and pointed out reasons for doing or not doing certain things. I never said 'No' without backing up with some sort of proper evidence.
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
31 Jul 09
So that was the trick! They should have been 'overdone'!
@lazeebee (5461)
• Malaysia
29 Apr 09
Hi Paula, it's the same with my parents. They often say that even if you have problems, you must eat. At least you would have the energy to face up or solve your problem.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
That's a new way of looking at it! There may just be some truth in it! Thanks for that lazeebee!
@eztuner (450)
• United States
29 Apr 09
To behave! For my family "respect" is the pillar of everything, In order to participate in society you need to behave as civilize human, and then you will gain respect from others. Manners too, are part of that behaving theory, among many other conducts that make you a Human ready to mingle whith others. I like italians, for most, there is nothing that a good hearty meal with the family, can't fix!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
Your family sounds wise and I agree that when all else fails enjoy yummy food, can't hurt! Thanks eztuner!
@sanuanu (11235)
• India
29 Apr 09
Me, shhhh, don't tell this to anybody, let me tell you this in your ears.... *loud* They tell me to brush my teeth and have bath every morning. H a ha ha ha. LOL! that was loud wasn't that!
@mysdianait (66009)
• Italy
29 Apr 09
I heard that! So now we know who it is that makes the Lot smell so fresh and clean with that lovely 'just got out of the bath' smell!
2 people like this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
29 Apr 09
Oops...Just picking my ear off the floor! Thanks sanuanu...don't forget to brush your teeth!
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@sanuanu (11235)
• India
30 Apr 09
Well, as you know my secret, I am preety sure that you will not tell this to your mom otherwise.. you know what I am up to right?
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
30 Apr 09
My dad used to make sure I had my food in time,, and particularly that I finished every grain of it in my plate,, never waste food as people work Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry hard to grow the food we get,, and more important he always made sure that I keep my self tidy
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 May 09
That's pretty good advice; being asked to eat everything on your plate is quite a common parental comment! I used to be told to eat for the starving children; I don't know how my eating would have helped them but...Thanks kawalnarang!
@prinzcy (32326)
• Malaysia
29 Apr 09
My parents always tell me : 1 - Behave and mind our manners : not that I am mischievous or anything, I just need to watch my manner no matter where I am as my parents are quite reputable in my town. 2 - Take care of myself when I am out and keep in contact : I think they're scared of this today's world. Can't blame them.
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@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
Sounds like darn good advice to me! Thanks prinzcy!
• Philippines
29 Apr 09
hi paula may i know how old are you? may be your still young that's why your mom treated you like a baby, and offer you food everytime you get hurt or something bad happen to you? but if you are not child you should tell your parents that you dont need the food offering from them tell them that you need is there attention and caring, well if i know your real age may be i can reply again to you, but for now thats all i can say good luck!
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
I don't get told to do that anymore! Although I am still offered food if I have a problem! I left home many years ago and I have my own family now and I hope I don't sound too much like my mother! Thanks xbeautyme!
@ronaldinu (12422)
• Malta
1 May 09
Hahhaa... maltese are much like the Italians. So yes I can still remember my mother trying to put tomatoes sysrup down my throat since she believed it contained iron. And iron is beneficial in order to grow up. So I resented tomatoes for quite a while when I grew up.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 May 09
I know what you mean! It can have quite an adverse effect! I can't stand steak because my mother would force feed me with it when I was little; she wanted me to eat it because of...you guessed it, the iron!
@gr8life (6251)
• Malaysia
18 May 09
Hello paula27661, I live on my own and as a mother, I think the favorite words that I used to say to my son is "Quiet, please!" Well, he is just two years old but he loves to speak non stop whenever he is at home and if I don't talk to him, he will just talk to the TV, his bear or his toys loudly! And for my own mother, she used to tell me to be careful. I get used to it that I will say the words before she is able to say them! At this age, she still says the same words to me!
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
18 May 09
My young daughter is often told,” Shush!" My little one is seven now and she's been talking non stop since she was at least two years old as well! She chatters and sings to herself; it's cute except on 'certain' days! My mother still talks to me as if I was still a child, it's what mums do I guess! Thanks for stopping by gr8life!
1 person likes this
@gtdonna (1738)
30 Apr 09
Ciao Paula, I know what you mean. Have lived in Italy for over 8 years and that is what I have heard so many times. I think maybe it has to do with the fact that food probably makes a child forget their troubles. Growing up my Mom use to tell us, "Study hard! Books and Boys don't mix, go to school and get your education, you have all the time in the world after for boys" I could never disagree with that, because without a good education today, it is so hard ot get jobs and also being illiterate is no fun. Hats off to mamma
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 May 09
I agree; shame we weren't so keen on the advice back then! I sound like my mother when I talk to my daughter more and more everyday and I'm not entirely sure that is a good thing! Thanks gtdonna...Ciao!
• United States
29 Apr 09
Paula- That's one thing I've tried not to do with my kids. Did you find that being raised this way made you take a different approach with your children so they didn't attach feelings to food? For me, my mom was always saying "Don't cut off your nose despite your face". I think why it's a good saying, hearing it as a child so often that it caused me to become more of a doormat later in life, not knowing that it was ok to stand up for myself. Though, her other great saying was "What goes around, comes around" and ain't that the truth! Namaste-Anora
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
I am VERY different with my own child. My parents were very unaffectionate and my mother could be downright abusive when she wanted to and that created a lot of self esteem issues for my sister and me. My sister and I became pregnant at the same time and we made a promise to love our children in a very different way to how we were brought up. I kiss, cuddle my daughter and tell her I love her all the time, I have never heard that sentiment come out of neither of my parents' mouths, ever to this day! Appreciate the response Anora!
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Apr 09
I can really relate. There are a lot of things my mother did that I don't do with my own children. Even when my children make messes I never refer to them as stupid, or say things like "Well, that was just stupid". We're human, and we error. I think it's why I'm pretty passionate about people, even adults, not name calling. I got enough of that from the person I wasn't supposed to, and I don't do it with my children. I'm a cuddler too. My son loves to cuddle and often runs up to me giving hugs, and I stop what I'm doing so I can enjoy this time. I know soon enough he'll be a teen going 'Mommmmmm, don't hug me in front of my friends' lol. Thanks for the added thoughts on your original post. I always enjoy reading them. Namaste-Anora
• China
30 Apr 09
My parents alway encourage me to study.Only study can change everything.don't study would accomplish nothing.I know my parents said is good.but I don't lile my parents nag.At my age ,wish to parents don't too nag.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
30 Apr 09
They only want the best for you and their advice is good, education is very important, I regret not having gone further with mine! Thanks 740xing740!
@csrobins (1120)
• United States
30 Apr 09
Go clean. I was born in a strict military structured family where discipline was the answer to everything. TV was considered lazy so if my sisters or I were watching tv during the day we would be given work to do. Cleaning was a given. We had chores everyday without allowance and I was making my bed by age five. I may not know how to cook or sew, but I sure can clean a house better than most know it could be cleaned. I live at home still at age twenty three and am still expected to help out around the house, wash my own dishes, make my bed every morning and anything else like laundry or weeding that needs to be done. I will say my dorm room in college was immaculately spotless. Maybe I should open up a maid service haha
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
1 May 09
I sure can relate to that! Although my mum was big on the food thing she never really taught me how to cook in case I dirtied the kitchen and it's just as well because I hate cooking but I am a great cleaner; my mum was, and still is obsessive about her home and everything is meticulously and clinically spotless; I'm not as obsessive as her but I can clean very well (LOL)! I did have a small cleaning business a few years ago and I am proud to say I was darn good at it! Appreciate the response csrobins!