Morning coffee is half way gone again , and I had an idea for a conversation starter for littles and caregivers alike.
Our parents usually teach us things that are generational lessons passed down from family to family. For example my grandfather used to say very often whenever a child was being a whiny brat , “ want in one hand shit in the other , see what fills up quicker kid.” Other things every family had , such as the lesson of “because I said so” that most moms say at one point or another.
So my question / conversation stater is :
What is a lesson that your parents have instilled in you that you still use to this day ? Do you say their quotes yourself ? Do you find yourself saying , “oh Jesus I sound like my mother.”? Why have you found this lesson useful ?
I’ll start :
Growing up , my step dad always used to get frustrated with inefficiency. He was an extremely hard worker with the attitude of something that’s being worked on should never be touched twice , because it’s a waste of time. Time is money , time is invaluable , do not squander it.
I remember I really wanted to go outside with my friends one summer because they were all walking to the local swimming pool. My step dad told me I had to clean the kitchen to his standards before leaving. Of course , being so young and excited I rushed that shit.
I wanted to yeet myself out the front door so fast... but then I heard him call my name. I went into the kitchen and I hadn’t cleaned it correctly according to my step dad. (He was right , but fuck him right ? LOL I wanted to leave.) he had me re clean the kitchen , I rushed it again. He was still not satisfied, and I had to clean it once again. FINALLY , the kitchen was up to his standards. But my friends had already left without me , and I wasn’t allowed to walk there alone because it was so far away. I complained and told my step dad he was a dick , and I’ll never forget what he said. “You always enough to do something twice but never enough time to do it correctly the first time.”
I was blown away. If I would’ve just focused , and done what I was supposed to and stayed calm , I wouldn’t have had to clean the kitchen three times. Sometimes you let the emotions , laziness , excitement , or whatever else take hold and you waste SO MUCH TIME trying to do something over and over.
This has stuck with me to this day and I will remember it till the day I die. I often find myself talking like my step dad now that I’m an adult. He shaped a lot of my work ethic , and taught me a lot about being valuable as a human and hard worker regardless of gender. I say this quote almost weekly to my employees. I sound like my step dad , but don’t regret it or think “oh god no.” I’m glad he taught me this lesson , it’s saved me a lot of time.
Added in later :
Just because I think it’s funny :
My grandpa effected me so much as a child telling me “want in one hand , shit in the other and see which fills up first.” I actually have “Want” tattooed on my right palm and “Need” tattooed in my left palm. Daily reminder from my grandpa to not buy stupid shit and only shake my need hand with lovers or important people. Other people get the want hand for a shake because I don’t need them.
Edited by DaddysMonkey, 22 February 2021 - 09:14 AM.
