At the age of 82 she had a confession to make. "I've never shaved my legs. Not once. Never."
When asked her reason, she replied confidently. "When I was a girl, my mother told me that once I started shaving my legs, I'd never be able to stop. So, it was better not to start."
And she didn't. She listened to her mother.
Of course, women who do shave their legs know that her mother's statement was crap. I go months between shaves, especially in the winter. When I was pregnant I probably went for a year without shaving. Sure my legs were a little prickly for a week but then the hair grew long enough to where it was soft and downy. It didn't bother my husband. The thin hair on my legs paled in comparison to his hairy legs.
But, the old woman's words got me to thinking. What things have I done or NOT done because of something my mother told me.
There are plenty of things I do similar to my mother just because I grew up watching her. I cook some food the same way. I talk to babies the same way. I purchase many of the same products as her. I set a similar table at dinner time. (My husband grew up with bread on the table - no matter what type of food. I only put bread on it if compliments our meal).
Growing up there was probably tons of advice my mother gave me. Now it is so ingrained in my psyche that I don't even realize where I learned such things. There really isn't a moment in time where I remember changing my behavior due to something my mom said, except maybe "Wash your hands, you don't know where that dog has been."
What about YOU? Do you remember something your mother told you that was against the grain?
I read this yesterday and have been trying to think of something my mom steered me wrong about. The only thing that comes to mind is that if you pluck out a gray hair, two come in. Since I have no intention of plucking my hair out anyway, there's no way to test this theory. Perhaps I SHOULD try since my hair is coming out fast anyway. Might be a good way to replenish it even if it IS gray!
Posted by: Sayre | January 06, 2012 at 06:48 AM
I won't use sponges because of mom. She made it perfectly clear that sponges are breeding ground for bacteria! If I DO use a sponge, it lasts about a day before it gets chucked.
Posted by: Amanda | January 06, 2012 at 08:48 AM
Like Sayre, I've been thinking on this. The only thing I can think of is my mom always said a lady never shaves her thighs only her calves. I have no idea why. I guess I'm no lady!
Posted by: Beth | January 06, 2012 at 07:34 PM
I need to tell you that I've changed how I cook my squash.
Posted by: Pamela | January 06, 2012 at 08:11 PM
My Mom told me if I ever shaved my legs..I would never be able to stop..I borrowed my Dad's razor when my long blonde leg locks stuck through my nylons.
She also told me that tampon's would ruin me for marriage..LOL..I laughed out loud at her...made her mad:)
Posted by: Far Side of Fifty | January 10, 2012 at 06:58 AM