Always wear clean underwear: The funny, touching advice mums give

For many of us, our mothers were key to shaping the people we are as adults, through the example they set as they lived their own lives, as well as through the instructions they gave us on how to live. Some of Starts at 60’s writers have shared the advice their mothers gave that’s stayed with them. What did your mother tell you about how to live?

Everyone comes from the same place and we all go to the same place. What happens in between is up to you! Libby English 

The nose is nine-tenths for breathing and one-tenth for smelling, which leaves not a fraction to insert into other peoples’ business. John Reid

If somebody gives you advice you don’t have to take it, but you need to be polite and listen to their advice. Then decide if you want to take their advice or not. Gaye Fullerton Gauci Harmour 

My mother rarely handed out advice but she always listened with her ears and her heart. Her best advice was the way she lived her life, the way she loved her husband, children and family. She led and advised by example. Oh, and always wear clean underwear in case you are in an accident! Karen O’Brien-Hall 

My mother would always tell me, should I try to get out of things like school by saying I was ill, ‘you’ll be alright when you get going’. When she said this I knew there was no way I was going to get my way and the really irritating thing about it all was she was always right. Michael Grogan

My darling mother encouraged me to travel before settling down. And my mother also said ‘don’t marry a farmer’! (My father was a dairy farmer and it wasn’t an easy life.) Pauline Conolly 

Treat everyone how you wish to be treated and try to only ever do what’s right – regret or shame is far harder to live with and usually has more far reaching consequences than feelings of disappointment. Jeni Robinson 

My mother didn’t give me advice that I remember, but it was the way she lived her life that left a lasting impression on me. Her humour and forgiveness got her through the tough life she had. Bev Miskin 

Always when you go out be respectable-looking and always have clean clothes. Brenda Fowler 

Family is the most important thing. Maureen Chambers 

Mum never gave advice as such. She led by example and quietly taught us the importance of good manners and to have respect for others. To have pride in our appearance and in what we are. Rod Faithfull 

Don’t touch the lawn mower, just before I got married. I knew how often she mowed the large lawns we had so I followed this advice! Jeanie Hore 

You can be as grumpy as you like in the house but when you are out always wear lipstick and a sweet expression. Grace Macdonald

Did your mother give you advice that’s stuck with you through life?