As a mother of a son, you’re always on the lookout for those little nuggets of parenting wisdom — the kind of advice that helps set your boy up for the world. We loved a couple of different takes on this idea floating around online, so we’ve pulled together our favourite version: here are 20 things a mother should tell her son.<!–more–>
Things A Mother Should Tell Her Son
#1. You will set the tone for the sexual relationship, so don’t take something away from her that you can’t give back.
You will both set the tone for your sexual relationship. You can’t take something away from someone that wasn’t yours to begin with.
#2. Play a sport. It will teach you how to win honourably, lose gracefully, respect authority, work with others, manage your time, and stay out of trouble. You might even learn to throw and catch!
Don’t feel pressured to play a sport. You are no less of a man if you choose to hike, build LEGO, dance, or play the violin. There will be plenty of other life experiences that teach you to build meaningful relationships in healthy and non-competitive ways.
#3. Have a good aim when you pee – someone has to clean that up you know!
Aim wherever you want when you pee, but just know that you’re the one that will have to clean it up.
#4. Save money when you’re young – you’re going to need it some day.
Don’t let money be the guiding force for your decisions and actions, but plan wisely if you want to travel, learn, share it with others, and have more freedom to savour a diversity of experiences in your lifetime.
#5. Allow me to introduce you to the oven, washing machine, dishwasher, iron, vacuum, mop and broom. Now off you go and use them!
Allow me to introduce you to the concepts of self-sufficiency, accountability, and responsibility.
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#6. Pray and be a spiritual leader.
Seek that which grounds you, and gives your life meaning and purpose; once you find it, live your life accordingly and do everything in your power to stay connected to it.
#7. Don’t ever be a bully, and don’t ever start a fight – but if some idiot “clocks” you, please defend yourself.
Respect others and remember that violence is never the solution. Respect your body and do not permit others to violate that.
#8. Your knowledge and education is something that nobody can take away from you.
Your ideas and perspectives will evolve. Your quest for learning and growth will continually enrich your life.
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#9. Treat women kindly. Forever is a long time to live alone, and an even longer time to live with somebody who hates your guts!
Treat everyone kindly. If you choose to have a life partner, offer them the same level of respect that you would expect for yourself.
#10. Take pride in your appearance.
Love yourself and the world will see you glow.
#11. Be strong and tender at the same time.
It’s OK to be weak, to be vulnerable, and to cry. No one can be strong all the time.
#12. A woman can do everything you can. This includes you changing nappies at 3am and her having a successful career. Mutual respect is the key to a good relationship.
A woman can’t do everything you can do (like aim when she pees), but she is just as capable and as valuable a contributor to the world as you are. Separate bathrooms are the key to a good relationship.
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#13. “Yes Ma’am” and “yes Sir” still go a long way. As do “please” and “thank you”.
“I understand”, “I’m sorry”, and “Can I help?” go a long way. As do “please” and “thank you”.
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#14. The reason they are called “private parts” is because they’re “private”. Please don’t scratch them in public.
Don’t be afraid to call your penis a penis, because that’s what it is. Scratch discreetly when you itch. Wash your hands afterwards.
#15. Peer pressure is a scary thing. Be a good leader and others will follow.
March to the sound of your own drum – you are worth it. If you happen to inspire others along the way… awesome.
#16. Bringing her flowers for no reason is always a good thing.
Finding opportunities to practice random acts of kindness is always a good idea. Some women (and men) are allergic to flowers.
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#17. Be patriotic.
Be humble – the world is a big place and you are but a small piece of a much larger puzzle.
#18. Potty humour isn’t the only type of humour!
Humour at the expense of others is never funny.
#19. Please choose your spouse wisely. My daughter-in-law will be the gate-keeper for me spending time with you and my grandchildren.
Whether or not you choose to marry or have children, I will always love you and stay connected to your life.
#20. Don’t forget to call me – I might be missing you.
If you remember all of the above, you will want to hear your mother’s voice every once in a while. Not because she might miss you, but because you might actually miss her.
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Have you any pieces of advice that a mother should tell her son? Leave a comment below and let us know – we’d love to hear from you!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most important things a mother should tell her son?
There’s no single right list, but the themes that matter most are respect (for himself and others), kindness, responsibility for his own home and belongings, honesty, and knowing he can always call home. The specific words matter less than making sure he hears them regularly, in ways that fit your family.
How do I talk to my son about respect and relationships without lecturing?
Short, honest conversations that happen naturally — in the car, over dinner, during everyday moments — tend to land better than one big “talk”. Repeating simple messages consistently over the years, and modelling the behaviour yourself, usually works better than a single formal sit-down.
Is it okay if my son doesn’t want to play sports?
Absolutely. Sport can teach great lessons, but so can music, art, reading, coding, or any activity your son is passionate about. What matters is that he learns teamwork, resilience, and how to manage his time and emotions — not which specific activity teaches it.
At what age should I start telling my son these things?
Many of these lessons — kindness, tidying up after himself, respecting others — can start from a young age in simple, age-appropriate ways. As he gets older, the conversations naturally get more detailed and specific, especially around relationships, money, and independence.
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- 20 Things You’ll Never Hear a Mum Say
Save This for Later
Love this list? Bookmark this page or share it with another mum of boys — it’s a handy one to come back to as your son grows.
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