My 7 Favorite Phrases as a Mom

Mothers everywhere have their favorite catch phrases. Many helpful or humorous words said by moms have been immortalized on bumperstickers, t-shirts, throw pillows, and memes across the globe. We can still hear our own mothers’ or grandmothers’ voices in our heads when we find ourselves in various situations. These are the words we automatically say. These are the words our kids know by heart. Theses are the words that stay with us for life. Here are my seven favorite phrases to use with my children:

“Follow my feet.” I heard this one day when my kids were little. We were at the Omaha Zoo. My twins sat in the double stroller and my preschooler was walking beside me while holding my hand. I was trying to have her hang onto the side of the stroller so I could push with both hands when I spotted a mom with four or five elementary age children easily making her way from the gorilla enclosure to the picnic area. She had on bright orange tennis shoes and was striding along hands-free. Her only instructions had been, “Follow my feet!” And all her kids, very focused, followed her fluorescent shoes to the picnic tables. I was impressed – it just made sense. I told my mother-in-law the story, and she bought me a pair of bright pink and purple sneakers for the specific purpose of helping my kids follow my feet.

“There’s always soap and water.” I can credit this to my husband’s grandmother. My kids called her Grandma Mary, and they simply adored her. She was generous, kind, and clever.  Every spill or mess or filthy child was met with the words, “Well, there’s always soap and water.” And she was right. Everything and everyone could be cleaned. Children are 100% washable.

“Sanity lives on the front porch.” I’m fairly sure Jen Hatmaker said this. Whether it was on a podcast or from her social media, I’m not entirely certain, but I do know I wrote it down inside my planner. Sanity really does live on the front porch – and I have waited several decades to have a front porch where I can sit, relax, and breathe. I greatly appreciate my enclosed front porch. The couch is old by comfy. The plants are green and happy. The light is perfect almost all day long for reading. It’s where I can drink my coffee on the weekends. It’s where I go when I need a minute to hear my own thoughts. I honest to goodness tell my kids that I will be on the front porch because that is where sanity lives. They are welcome to join me, but they need to leave the chaos at the door. Only peace and love on the front porch – it’s better for the plants 😉

“Not in this pot of soup.” My kids are probably sick of hearing this catch phrase, but I love it. I stole it from Hotel Transylvania 2 when they’re searching for Dennis, and I use it every time my kids are looking for a misplaced item. “Mom, have you seen…” “Nope. It’s not in this pot of soup.” *eye rolls and dramatic sighs from pre-teens*

“You can do hard things.” I know there has been cultural controversy over Glennon Doyle’s books and speaking engagements over the years, BUT I do agree with her mission statement of “We can do hard things” because we all need to remind ourselves and each other that overcoming obstacles is indeed a part of life. Hard things will come our way if we’re persevering in our goals. So I tell my kids, “You can do hard things” when they are frustrated over an assignment or tired after a sports practice. They say, “It’s just so hard, Mom.” Well. Yeah. It is sometimes. But you can do hard things. You already have, buddy, or you wouldn’t have tried out for the school play, learned a new instrument, or got on the team.

“It will all get sorted out in the wash.” I learned this one from a clinical fieldwork instructor who was as cool as a cucumber. Nothing ever seemed to ruffle her feathers. If a patient was refusing therapy services that day, she would simply say, “It will all get sorted out in the wash. They’ll feel better tomorrow – we will see them then.” So I tell my kids that things do have a way of sorting themselves out if we just give it time.

“Let me see your eyeballs.” I have five favorite questions to ask my kids when they are out of control. Those questions help them self-regulate which means identify what they’re feeling (physically, mentally, or emotionally) and manage those feelings. Once they are back on track, I usually say, “Let me see your eyeballs.” I’m not checking anyone’s pupils – I’m getting their undivided attention so they can focus on what I’m saying. Eye contact. Minimal distractions. Auditory processing made easier. I’ve said this phrase to students, camp kids, and my nephews. It works wonders and often makes them giggle. “Let me see your eyeballs so you can listen to my words.”

Our words make a difference, mamas. They make a lasting impression. Helpful and humorous. Clever and kind. Just plain goofy sometimes. Favorite phrases can last a lifetime.