AS a teenager I thought I knew it all.

You could even say, I was quite the handful.

I had plenty of runs in with my Mum over the years as I battled for independence and a yearning to grow up fast. I wanted to run before I could walk, which looking back now, must have been so painful for my Mum. (Sorry, Mum!)

But guess what?

I didn’t know it all.  In fact, I knew very little!

As a rebellious teen, I lived and I learned – more often than not, the hard way. So as a thank you to my lovely Mum – and in collaboration with Littlewoods and their new, rather brilliant #MumsKnowBest campaign – here are some of the things she told me, that I wish I had listened to, back then, many yonks ago.

See Mum, I may not have paid attention, but I did indeed listen.

I love you.

“That skirt is too short!”

When I was in my mid teens, I wore skirts that just about covered my bottom. I loved them and they sure caught the attention of the boys but… Mum was right, they were far too short.

They gave of the wrong message, they looked a little bit desperate and well, how can I say this, they just didn’t look very nice.

But you know you live and you learn these things! And hey if you can’t wear a ridiculously short skirt when you’re a youngster and are size ‘teeny tiny’ when the heck can you?

But Mum was right. A short skirt that is a couple of so inches longer looks so much classier.

“You are too young for a / b or c!”

I once remember in an argument with my Mum, shouting; “it’s my life!”.

I cannot have been any older than 15 or 16 at the time and I don’t remember what it was we were arguing about but I can guess that it was probably about me wanting to do something before I was ready and my Mum telling me I was too young to date much older boys, wear that outfit or go out clubbing etc, etc, etc.

At the time, her protectiveness felt like a prison (I am totally a free spirit), but now I’m older (and thankfully) wiser, I get it!

There were indeed too many times when I was too young to do – a, b or c, even though I did them anyway. So sorry Mum, you were spot on again.

“One day you will understand why I worry so much.”

I cannot deny this one. Having Elsie in my life means I am now a constant worrier!

Part of the role of a parent is fretting over your child / children and worrying if they are ok, all of the time. So yes Mum, thank you. I get it now.

And I am truly sorry for all the sleepless nights! (And not just the ones when I was a baby).

“You are too laid back about stuff!”

I’ve always done what I’ve needed to do, to get by. And I still occasionally leave stuff to the last minute, even if I’m given weeks to get something done.

Over the past few years I’ve come to realise that this suits my personality. It’s not that I’m lazy, far from it, it’s just that I work and perform better when I’m under pressure.

So if the pressure isn’t there? Well, I have to create it.

But my Mum was right.

Because sometimes being laid back about stuff isn’t always a good thing. Sometimes it means you don’t get jobs done, sometimes it means you mess things up, sometimes it means people don’t respect you as much.

Leaving everything until the last minute isn’t the best way to live or work. You have to be smarter than that.

“You will get yourself into trouble doing that!”

Oh and how I did!

My teenage years were full of all kinds of personal scrapes and painful lessons learned.

Yes I had lots of fun too, but now I look back and wish that I hadn’t gotten myself in quite so many ridiculous situations.

I was (and am) a little rebel, that much is true and to be fair, I had plenty of reasons for my rebellion  – but my Mum was right. (Again!)

Because being rebellious and going against the norm isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be and being independent and feisty can often get you into lots of unnecessary scrapes, if you don’t listen.

Thankfully over the years I’ve learned to focus my rebellious energy in much healthier, happier ways.  And guess what?

Yup. Most of the time, these days, I manage to keep myself out of any trouble.

See Mum. I did learn after all. *winks*

When did your #MumsKnowBest? Which advice do you wish you had listened to?! 

(I can’t help but wonder what things Elsie will remember from our little chats, when she’s all grown up!)

With love,

Kate

This post was created in collaboration with Littlewoods to celebrate and thank our Mums, because well, #MumsKnowBest! (Or most of the time, anyway).