My parents always told me ...

There are many things which my mother always told me when I was still small that I never forget till I grew up. But there is one thing about eating which I cannot forget, that is, "eat whatever is served on the table". We were not made to complain what food she prepared for us and we have to eat it.

My parents (mostly my mother) used to always tell me to sit up straight when I was little. She told me it so much that when I sit now I tend to sit up straight automatically. LOL I'm thankful that my parents never told me to eat for any reason at all (their obviously not Italian! LOL). They didn't force me to eat nor did I have to finish everything that was on my plate. However, if I did happen to put too much on my plate and I couldn't finish it my mom would tease me and say that my eyes were bigger than my stomach. LOL I do the same thing with my kids as well. I don't force them to eat everything on their plate. If they are full, I don't force the issue. I also tend to remind my youngest to sit up straight as well. Hmm, it looks like these 2 things have stuck with me. Old habits die hard. LOL

I think of course being cautious while playing was one of the most advised things. Of course that and eating vegetables, etc, and being nice to our relatives as well as our friends. It's just a parental thing, though, and I mean while I didn't understand, I don't blame them now.

Study well! That's what they always tell to me and my siblings.

Parents have their own way of caring. This can change depending on the country the person lives in. Some parents would carress the childs head or back, or give a kiss on the cheeks or forehead. In your case its giving good food to their children. I don't see anything wrong or funny.

hey paula it seems our mothers are sailing in the same ship........ even for my mother the favorite thing is to ask me to eat.all day long at around an interval of 1/2 an hour she keeps asking me eat something or the other....... i think it is in every mothers blood.....

put on your clothes! Huhhuh... It's kind of lovely. They always worry about us being cold, hungry, injured or not. That is what parents do I think. So, you are Italian, right? I just love your country and always want to visit it. I hope there is a chance in the future.

'eat your crusts - they will make your hair curly'... So I did, I always ate them and my hais is as straight as... you name it! All I got for eating all those crusts was pounds, not the sort you can spend at the supermarket but the ones that hang on in there and seem to grow even just looking at something fattening! Aaargh!

Hi Paula, it's the same with my parents. They often say that even if you have problems, you must eat. At least you would have the energy to face up or solve your problem.

To behave! For my family "respect" is the pillar of everything, In order to participate in society you need to behave as civilize human, and then you will gain respect from others. Manners too, are part of that behaving theory, among many other conducts that make you a Human ready to mingle whith others. I like italians, for most, there is nothing that a good hearty meal with the family, can't fix!

Me, shhhh, don't tell this to anybody, let me tell you this in your ears.... *loud* They tell me to brush my teeth and have bath every morning. H a ha ha ha. LOL! that was loud wasn't that!

My dad used to make sure I had my food in time,, and particularly that I finished every grain of it in my plate,, never waste food as people work Verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry hard to grow the food we get,, and more important he always made sure that I keep my self tidy

My parents always tell me : 1 - Behave and mind our manners : not that I am mischievous or anything, I just need to watch my manner no matter where I am as my parents are quite reputable in my town. 2 - Take care of myself when I am out and keep in contact : I think they're scared of this today's world. Can't blame them.

hi paula may i know how old are you? may be your still young that's why your mom treated you like a baby, and offer you food everytime you get hurt or something bad happen to you? but if you are not child you should tell your parents that you dont need the food offering from them tell them that you need is there attention and caring, well if i know your real age may be i can reply again to you, but for now thats all i can say good luck!

Hahhaa... maltese are much like the Italians. So yes I can still remember my mother trying to put tomatoes sysrup down my throat since she believed it contained iron. And iron is beneficial in order to grow up. So I resented tomatoes for quite a while when I grew up.

Hello paula27661, I live on my own and as a mother, I think the favorite words that I used to say to my son is "Quiet, please!" Well, he is just two years old but he loves to speak non stop whenever he is at home and if I don't talk to him, he will just talk to the TV, his bear or his toys loudly! And for my own mother, she used to tell me to be careful. I get used to it that I will say the words before she is able to say them! At this age, she still says the same words to me!

Ciao Paula, I know what you mean. Have lived in Italy for over 8 years and that is what I have heard so many times. I think maybe it has to do with the fact that food probably makes a child forget their troubles. Growing up my Mom use to tell us, "Study hard! Books and Boys don't mix, go to school and get your education, you have all the time in the world after for boys" I could never disagree with that, because without a good education today, it is so hard ot get jobs and also being illiterate is no fun. Hats off to mamma

Paula- That's one thing I've tried not to do with my kids. Did you find that being raised this way made you take a different approach with your children so they didn't attach feelings to food? For me, my mom was always saying "Don't cut off your nose despite your face". I think why it's a good saying, hearing it as a child so often that it caused me to become more of a doormat later in life, not knowing that it was ok to stand up for myself. Though, her other great saying was "What goes around, comes around" and ain't that the truth! Namaste-Anora

My parents alway encourage me to study.Only study can change everything.don't study would accomplish nothing.I know my parents said is good.but I don't lile my parents nag.At my age ,wish to parents don't too nag.

Go clean. I was born in a strict military structured family where discipline was the answer to everything. TV was considered lazy so if my sisters or I were watching tv during the day we would be given work to do. Cleaning was a given. We had chores everyday without allowance and I was making my bed by age five. I may not know how to cook or sew, but I sure can clean a house better than most know it could be cleaned. I live at home still at age twenty three and am still expected to help out around the house, wash my own dishes, make my bed every morning and anything else like laundry or weeding that needs to be done. I will say my dorm room in college was immaculately spotless. Maybe I should open up a maid service haha