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What do you wish you'd inherited from your mother?

(183 Posts)
LaraGransnet (GNHQ) Tue 26-Mar-19 14:47:22

We were talking about Mother's Day and thinking about the things we really wish we'd inherited from them. For me, it would have to be my mum's singing voice - I can't hold a note, yet she can make a song out of the week's shopping list and sound like she should be on stage. What do you wish you'd inherited from your mum?

grannyactivist Fri 29-Mar-19 12:06:57

My mum can knit and sew beautifully, but declined to teach me. I do basic knitting and when pushed I've managed the odd child's fancy dress pattern (Looby Loo anyone?), but I do wish my mum had taught me.

Houndi Fri 29-Mar-19 22:34:37

Her beautiful white hair that was so glossy and shiny.Mine when it needs colouring just goes a dirty grey

Allegretto Fri 29-Mar-19 22:51:25

Her serenity. Every time I left her I left with a sense that my day had been made more joyous for being in her company. In her final years she had a debilitating illness but she accepted her lot and made life good for herself and those around her.

absent Sat 30-Mar-19 03:28:43

I hope I inherited quite a lot of things from my mother –apart from family money, silver, glasses and jewellery – which I do treasure. I hope I inherited her automatic ability to accept different people without a qualm – even though she had absolutely no idea that she was doing that. I hope I inherited her unquestioning love and support of everyone in her huge extended family. I should have liked to have thick curly hair, but I do have sparkly green eyes,.

Dontaskme Sat 30-Mar-19 06:32:41

Not a blinking thing. Spiteful, mean spirited, aggressive nasty little woman made my life hell.

I hate it that sometimes I think I sound a bit like her, although I don't know how as she had an accent that I certainly don't!

Cosmos Sat 30-Mar-19 06:51:12

What a lot of people don't like their mothers. Mine died young and I miss her love still. She was gentle and kind and in dads shadow but she kept everything going, I wish I had shown her more affection whilst I was young I took her for granted.

sodapop Sat 30-Mar-19 07:02:06

My daughter had a Looby Loo soft bodied doll which she was very attached to GrannyA
I had to replace the hands as she constantly rubbed them. Nice memory.

Grannyknot Sat 30-Mar-19 18:14:40

I'm one of the lucky ones, my mother was brilliant. I can still see her in my mind's eye sashaying up the school driveway in her heels and best dress and latest "picture hat" (she was a trained milliner) to take to task a teacher that had been harsh on one of her adored children (in her view).

I can also see her standing at the school fence with a forgotten raincoat, or lunch box, calling me to quickly take it from her as she had to get to work.

She was a champion to the three of us, a single mother in the 1950s. Divorced at 28 with three children under 5, she never remarried. I admire her so much.

I've inherited many positive traits from her (and her hair and good skin). I hope I will one day be as brave as she was at the end of her life, making jokes on her deathbed to lessen our sadness.

flowers

TerriBull Sat 30-Mar-19 18:57:37

Her nature, she was much nicer than me, albeit a bit of a doormat sometimes, I think I'm more assertive, I've got too many of my father's traits..... unfortunately sad

Barmeyoldbat Sat 30-Mar-19 20:11:58

Absolutely nothing, I have always told my family if you ever see me getting like my mum tell me so I can change.

Nannyxthree Sat 30-Mar-19 20:19:34

I've inherited a lot but would have liked her superior skills in sewing and knitting.
Perhaps we should have another thread about what we hope not to inherit! In my case I hope I don't become a horder as she did after my dad died. It was hell clearing out her house when she died.

Ginny42 Sat 30-Mar-19 20:43:34

As someone who had lost both parents by the time I was 26, (77 in May) it makes me sad to read of those who had many years with their mothers, yet they weren't happy ones. I'm sorry it turned out that way for you. flowers

notanan2 Sat 30-Mar-19 21:32:18

God nothing. I nearly didnt have children myself for fear that I would be like her. Was genuinely surprised when I HAD kids by how easy it is to NOT be an awful mother.

So relieved.

yattypung Sun 31-Mar-19 02:36:34

My mums beautiful singing voice (my singing is a joke) and also her gorgeous thick auburn hair. Mine is so thin and lifeless

Cambia Sun 31-Mar-19 12:08:42

Her iron clad constitution. She can eat anything, drinks Like a fish never exercises and at 83 does not have an awful lot wrong with her.

Ladyinspain Sun 31-Mar-19 12:27:20

I agree with Monica - everyone loved my mum ! She was a caring lovely woman, albeit very scatty. Once, my dad brought home a set of 3 suitcases, each inside the other, for their upcoming holidays, he gave the case to her, and she said"Oh Johnny, brilliant idea, now we only have to carry the one suitcase"! Well , she was Irish. x Miss you mum

M0nica Sun 31-Mar-19 14:42:53

When she died, someone described her presence in a room as like a glass of champagne, she sparkled. She too was (half) Irish. The same was said of my younger sister.

Unfotunately these qualities missed my youngest sister and I. We are more more like are father, who did not have quite this same ability to make friends and enliven gatherings.

Mother Sun 31-Mar-19 15:34:03

My mother's beautiful skin her face had no wrinkles. Why have I got so many !!

Caro6699 Sun 31-Mar-19 15:45:04

My mother wasn’t educated in the accepted sense but boy was she talented!
She could knit the most complicated patterns and made most of our clothes from cut down adult garments, she had a knack of picking out fabulous materials at the local jumble sale.She could paint and do diy ( my father was useless) an had inherit seanse of style in the way she looked and dressed
Sadly I haven’t inherited any of her artistic gifts , though I know she was proud of those I did have ?

4allweknow Sun 31-Mar-19 17:12:00

Her brown eyes, I have my father's blue, and her knitting skills.

4allweknow Sun 31-Mar-19 17:15:51

Grannylyn. Are you okay? There are many who do not have happy relationships with or memories of a parent but to wish ut upon yourself is indeed sad usually when someone is feeling very low mentally.

Jabberwok Sun 31-Mar-19 17:42:30

I was devoted to my mother and even after 30 years miss her everyday. I wish I'd inherited her academic prowess especially her ability to speak fluent french, Italian and German. Alas I have no languages ability, or much else really!!

Lizzie257 Sun 31-Mar-19 18:16:04

Some family history, I was adopted at 6 weeks. I never knew my birth mother. I’d really like to know what health issues are in the family, instead of always having to explain that I was adopted. I’d also like to tell her I had a good life, and I don’t blame her at all.

Jabberwok Sun 31-Mar-19 18:18:34

Daisyboots, sending support, very good wishes and flowers

Hypnoticlady Sun 31-Mar-19 18:51:53

Her strength in times of adversity and her enduring love and, patience. I would like to think I've inherited a little of those qualities ?