Things we tell our grandkids, because grandma knows best!

As a grandparent one of your fundamental duties is to impart wisdom on your grandkids. Sometimes that wisdom can be important life lessons they will carry with them forever and other times it may be old wives tales and totally untrue.

For instance when I was a child my grandmother used to say, “if you touch your nose hairs you could die…” I think she told me this to scare me off picking my nose and boy did it work! Another funny thing she used to say is that you can’t drink cordial and milk at the same time because it will curdle in your stomach. My sister decided that she would like to test this theory one day and went around saying goodbye to all of our family members before drinking a glass of each. She felt pretty ill but she lived!

My grandma still to this day denies ever saying those things but we will never forget them. This got me thinking of other, wise and important things that most grandparents tell their grandkids.

The practical advice:

• Actions speak louder than words.
• Worrying is just praying for what you don’t want.
• If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.
• If you’re going to do something, do it right.
• Treat others as you would like to be treated.
• Don’t put off what you can do today.
• A tiger can’t change its stripes.

The positive thoughts:

• You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
• You can only try your best.
• Good manners don’t cost anything.
• Practice makes perfect.
• Don’t go to bed mad.
• You don’t know someone until you walk a mile in their shoes.

And then, of course, there are harmless white lies or advice that gets you out of trouble: 

• McDonald’s is closed today.
• The man at the shop said there are no batteries for that toy.
• If you swallow chewing gum it will stay inside your stomach for seven years.
• If the music plays that means they have run out of ice-cream.
• You’ll have to ask your mum and dad…

According to a poll of 2,000 adults, two thirds of responders revealed that they will always remember advice their grandparents gave them. So keep that advice coming!

What funny or wise things do you tell your grandkids? Do you remember something your grandma told you?

*Do you have some funny stories about your grandkids? Submit them here.