If you've got your mom on speed dial for those moments when you need advice on love, work or parenting, you’re not alone. Moms just seem to have a knack for giving sound advice (even when we’re not ready to hear it!) and sharing memorable words of wisdom. We asked kids, moms, dads, doctors and parenting experts to share the best advice they ever got from their own mothers. Below are the words from mom that mattered most.

For more ways to make that special woman in your life extremely happy, visit our main Mother's Day page for handmade crafts, recipes, and card ideas.

On living a good life

“You’re entitled to have a bad day but you’re not allowed to ruin everyone else’s day.”
-Trina Ansdell, Anaheim, Calif., mother of two

“To thine own self be true.” My mom used to say this to me all the time and it took me until the age of 32 to really understand it.
-Rhea Campbell-Lickerman, Chicago, Ill.

“Be honest with yourself and believe in yourself and then good things will happen.”
-Cindy Bauer, Marietta, GA, mother of two

“If you don't know what a word means, look it up in the dictionary."
-Howard Bennett, Washington, D.C., pediatrician and author of Waking Up Dry (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2005)

“Pursue your own dreams and follow your own heart. Don't make life choices based on what you think other people want you to do.” I was a pretty good violinist in high school, so right after graduation, I studied to be a concert violinist. Looking back, I know I did that because I thought that's what I was supposed to do, what people wanted me to do. In reality, I just wasn't cut out to be a professional violinist. I'm more of a homebody who doesn't like to travel. So I worked in an assortment of office jobs and then finally eased my way into a writing career, which I've been doing full-time for about 15 years. I'm finally living my dream and I love it, because I get to work at home and the writing I do doesn't require any travel. And I play my violin in church every Sunday. The best of both worlds!
-Jane Boursaw, mom of two, movie reviewer

“Laugh before you cry.”
-Monica Clifton, Albuequerque, NM, mother of three

"You can't always get what you want. You can't always get what you want...but if you try sometimes, you just might find--you get what you need!!" We grew up very poor but my mom made sure we always had the greatest experiences; going to Mexico, the zoo, state parks, etc. We rarely got life's "extras" like going out to eat or new toys. When I'd whine about not getting the material things that I wanted, she would sing these lyrics. Now I know that giving my child the best material things is not important; it’s the love, attention, and unique adventures that count!
-Corwin Jefferson, mother of one, Dahlonega, Ga.