Even when you're really angry these are things mothers and children should never say to each other - they are guaranteed to haunt you for years.
- I told you so
- When are you getting married?
- What have you done to your hair?
- Do you really think red and orange look nice together?
- I like the nose stud – I think I’ll get myself one
- Does this place ever get cleaned?
- Do you know you are going bald?
- You just could not imagine what a difficult birth I had with you
- Why can’t you be more like Betty’s son/daughter
- If you loved me you would do the dishes
- You are just like your father (and he is in prison/ an alcoholic, ran off with a neighbour)
- Have you picked up weight?
- You paid how much for that?
- Maybe it is not too late to make something of your life
- Here’s the number of that psychologist I told you about
- If it wasn’t for you, I might have had a career too
- When can I move in with you
- I want grandchildren
- That’s a great achievement for a lazy person like you
- Why don’t you go out with…..
- Are you stupid, or something?
- No wonder you’re single - look at the way you dress
- What sort of family does he/she come from?
- I feel sorry for the man /woman who marries you
- Just wait until you are a parent yourself
Things children should never say to mothers
- Why can’t you be more like Cecil’s mommy – she lets him do everything
- What? Chicken again?
- Don’t you think you are a bit old to wear something like that?
- Who’s going to look after Daddy if you go on holiday?
- Should you be spending so much money on a dress?
- Is this a time to be coming in?
- A computer? What on earth will you do with it?
- I have to hand in a project on volcanoes tomorrow
- If you cared about me, you would buy me….
- What have you done with my swimming costume?
- Expect me when you see me
- I hate you
- I hope I will be a better parent than you
- There’s a cake sale today – I forgot to tell you
- You can’t seriously expect me to wear that
- I’m meeting him there and I don’t know when I will be back
- I know he’s 25 years older than I am, but I still love him
- I met her in rehab
- (Susan Erasmus, Health24)