18 Pieces Of Advice Kids Were Given By Their Parents That They Only Understood Once They Got Older
A while back, we asked the BuzzFeed readership to share the advice their parents gave them that they didn't understand until they got a little (or a lot) older. If you are in need of some wisdom to start, or end, or continue your day (I don't know when you're reading this, I'm not a psychic), here are 18 bits of parental advice that people have found to be absolutely watertight.
Responses may have been edited for length and/or clarity.
1."To enjoy being young. When I was a teenager, I used to tell my parents that I couldn’t wait to grow up and be an adult. Now, I’m in college, and every week I think about how I wish I would’ve slowed down and lived in the moment."
"I was just about to comment about how it feels like time speeds up. Time used to feel like it dragged on forever, but as soon as I hit college, it felt like time sped up, and now that I'm an adult living on my own and working full-time, it's amazing how quickly a month goes by."
2."You really don't know as much as you think you do when you're a teen or young adult. Your brain is wearing rose-colored glasses, and clarity only happens slowly as you age, and it's not something that can be rushed either. I was going through some things when I was 16, and it wasn't until after I turned 19 that it hit me all of a sudden how wrong and dangerous that situation was. And that will continue to happen throughout your 20s, because your 20s are like second puberty. There were things I did and allowed when I was 23 that I would never do again at 26 because I've grown. Twenty-three-year-old me thought she was so strong and self-assured, and 26-year-old me wants to hug her and tell her, 'You aren't, but you will be.'"
"So, when people warn you or raise concerns about your choices, it's not always them infantilizing you or treating you like you can't make decisions. It's because we know you can't see it because we didn't see it when we were your age."
Netflix / Via giphy.com
3."That looking young for your age as a teenager or college students means you'll look young for your age later in life. Didn't like looking like I was 15 when I was 23, but now, I'm happy I look like I'm in my 40s while in my 50s."
4."'Don't wish your life away.' My mum said this whenever I wanted it to be the weekend, Christmas, summer, whatever, or when I complained about being too young to do things. Now, I know what she means. Time goes by way too quickly."
5."Why I couldn't hang out with certain kids."
6."That sometimes you need to hear 'no.' Boundaries need to be set, and you'll be told 'no' throughout your adult life, so it's beneficial to learn how to deal with not getting everything your way all the time."
7."Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeverything they said about money."
8."It's not really advice, but my mom would force us to spend all day, every day, outside if weather allowed. At the time, I was super annoyed by this, because I just wanted to watch TV or play on the PC most of the time. Now that I have kids of my own, I understand and appreciate why she did it. Love you, Mom!"
9."There’s food at home. This is something I tell my daughter all the time, and it’s true. We’re going to save some money and eat at home."
10."Not for cars or for a house or anything, but my Dad always said, 'If you don't have money for it in the bank, you can't afford it.' Well, he was right. ... I got myself into a credit card nightmare that he helped me out of, thankfully, but never again!"
11."My husband and I bought our first home in 2020. We fell in love with an older home that was built in 1947. When I was a kid, I used to give my parents so much crap for always tinkering and fixing things in the house. My mom told me to wait until I had my own home. Now, I understand. There’s always something to be done or fixed because if you don’t, then it adds up or could get worse over time. I love my home, but home ownership is no joke."
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12."'It’s not you I worry about, it’s everyone else.'"
13."I used to complain all the time as a kid and teen that everyone's life was better than mine: They were luckier in love, more popular, had more friends, were prettier, didn't have all the stress I did, etc. My mom told me that one day when I was older, I'd grow to understand that the grass wasn't always greener on the other side and that everyone has stuff that makes their life just as stressful as others. I scoffed at her. Then, years later, I grew up and became a teacher. I really did learn...everyone's got problems, and no one is perfect."
14."I come from a poor family, but money talks were barely a thing. I remember freaking out after I just moved out (at 17) that food was expensive and wondering how could I cut its costs. My dad sat me down and told me that two things are always worth my money: my health and the food that I want. He was totally right."
Nickelodeon / Via giphy.com
15."I’m your parent first and your friend second."
16."Start saving for retirement early! Like, with your first job early. Seems excessive, but when you’re ready to retire at 50, you’ll be happy you did!"
17."My parents told me to not get so caught up in dating and relationships as a teenager. At that age, you think you know everything about dating and commitment, but you really have no idea. Enjoy being single and have fun. Don't stay in a toxic relationship because you feel like you need to be with someone. And breakups are a part of life. If things don't work out, it's not the end of the world."
—mnp9
