11 Things Moms Say All the Time That Annoy You

Noelle Devoe
Updated
Photo credit: ABC
Photo credit: ABC

From Seventeen

You totally understand that it can't be easy being your mom. She's got a million different things on her plate besides taking care of you, so the struggle to be a cool mom while also being a good mom is real. But sometimes it's hard to remember that when it feels like your mom is being overprotective, condescending, or passive aggressive, in which case you have to do a few woosahs before you end up saying something that'll get you grounded for a week.

Here are all the totally annoying things moms say (but only because she loves you *sigh*).

1. "Did you brush you hair?"

Who hasn't, at one point in their life (or a million points in their life), been stopped on the way out the door with this mom-ism? Of course, she knows you brushed your hair. This is just her way of saying she doesn't like the way you brushed it. Chances are, she doesn't like that your part isn't straight or that your hair is still wet. Which leads me to the second thing moms always say:

2. "You can't go outside with wet hair. You'll catch a cold."

After years of Mom's fear-mongering about winter months, walking out the door with damp hair is basically a statement: "COME AT ME, COLD! I DARE YOU TO TRY TO GIVE ME A RUNNY NOSE!"

3. "Is that what you're wearing?"

Why does she drop so many mom-bombs when you're *this close* to walking out the door? And why do they usually have very obvious answers? Like, what you want to say is: "Considering the fact that I have one foot out the door wearing what I'm wearing, I was probably planning on wearing what I'm wearing today, Mom." But we all know this question is just Mom's passive aggressive way of telling you that you need to change.

4. "Put it back."

The single most heart-crushing thing your mom could say to you at the grocery store.

5. "Don't forget to wear sunblock!"

Your mom will never stop telling you to lather up, or to avoid going out too far, or to beware the undertow, or any other variation of motherly beach-y advice. Not even when you're 24 years old and offhandedly tell your fam you're going to the beach in the family group chat. She will probs respond instantly: DON'T FORGET TO WEAR SUNBLOCK! with a ton of unnecessary emojis.

6. "Do you think money grows on trees?!"

OK, both your parents say this, but that just makes it twice as eye-roll-y. For the record, you understand your parents aren't made of money, but a simple "no" to giving you some cash to go to the movies would have done.

7. "When I was a teenager..."

This phrase is followed by a watered-down version of Mom's childhood, like, "...we never kissed before the third date," or "...I didn't even care about dating." Riiiiiiight, Mom.

To be fair, your mom has 20+ years more life experience than you do, so she probably has a valid reason for not wanting you to do whatever it is she's trying to make you not do. But sometimes you wish she'd just stop playing mind games and explain why she doesn't like the idea of you dating the new boy in your class instead of pretending she didn't think about dating at all when she was your age. That just makes it all feel a little disingenuous, doesn't it?

8. "Stop taking selfies of yourself and pay attention to your family!"

As much as you'd love to point out that your mom's being redundant by saying you're taking a selfie of yourself (that's what a selfie is fundamentally, Ma), you realize that family dinner isn't exactly the time and place to do so.

9. "Wash the dishes now!"

Usually said when there's one lone spoon left in the sink (that was not yours, for the record).

10. "I'll treat you like an adult when you start acting like one."

When you're having a meltdown over your mom not letting you spend all your savings on that 1992 Dodge Neon that guy down street is selling, you insist you're old enough to make your own financial decisions, and then she hits you with this classic. You would totally get it if you actually felt like there was any chance she'd actually see you as an adult any time soon, but that's unlikely considering she says this to you every other day:

11. "You'll always be my baby."

You hate it when your mom says this in public (usually right after doing something totally embarrassing, like licking her fingers and flattening your hair) or when she says it to explain why she's not letting you go to that party you're totally old enough to attend.

But, full disclosure, if she says this when making your favorite warm-and-snuggly snack (hot chocolate with cinnamon in it) or when she's comforting you after some jerk broke your heart, it's not quite so bad. Because, let's face it, as annoying as your mom can be sometimes, she's always got your back - and she gives the best hugs.

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