Never trust a tidy sandwich...

...and other words of wisdom. Mothers are lifelong fonts of knowledge. Our readers recall favourite advice from Mum - and what they hope to pass on to their own kids. By Catherine Cooper

'My mother taught me to love learning for its own sake, not as a means to passing exams and getting a high-paid job. She taught all five of us to read and write as soon as we could talk. If we asked a question, however silly, she would stop whatever she was doing and sit with us as we delved into encyclopaedias and dictionaries to find the answer. No book was ever off limits. My son Louis is just 11 months old but he already loves looking at books, and I intend to teach him to read as soon he's ready. I think teaching children to read and inquire is the greatest gift you can give as a parent.'
Lucy Jolin, 32, north London

 

'Pick yourself up, dust yourself down and start all over again! This is what my mother has taught me and demonstrated time after time, and this is also what I am passing on to my children as they grow and move into the scary adult world where the unexpected arises and knocks you off your feet.'
Marianne Whooley, 40, Gravesend, Kent

 

'My mum taught me to cook a mean Yorkshire pudding. She also taught me that no dream is out of reach, but I should always keep my feet on the ground and remember where I came from. I hope to teach my son that he doesn't have to be the best at anything - as long as gives life his best shot, the results don't matter. Passing on the Yorkshire pudding skill goes without saying.'
Jo Swan, 32, south London

 

'I guess she taught me how much love means. She taught me that I'm worthy of my parents' pride. She taught me persistence, endurance, consistency and never to admit you're wrong. That God loves us and we're all equal in his eyes. For my own children I'd most like to pass on just how much love means – that's the most important.'
Jac Haskell, 37, South of France

 

'Never go out with a man who takes too much care of his appearance. He will love himself more than you. If you make one good friend in this life, that's a real achievement. If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all. If you feel envious of someone, give them a compliment – it still stops me feeling green! Don't make personal attacks, particularly on someone's appearance. And, finally, never trust a man who carries his change in a purse. To my daughter Katy I would like to pass on that actions speak louder than words and never to be afraid to speak up about what she believes in.'
Jan Murray, 32, Kent

 

'My mum taught me how to cook from scratch. It saved me a fortune at university and was very useful in impressing the opposite sex! I'm going to teach my son the same as soon as he is old enough to be allowed into the kitchen.'
Claire Lackford, 31, Macclesfield, Cheshire

 

'Never trust a tidy sandwich. It might sound a bit odd but I think it can mean a number of things - something too perfect is bound to have a catch, or somebody who seems to have so perfect a life is bound to have a hidden problem. I love it, because I am untidy and I believe in the chaotic nature of life and the universe in general. Neatness just disguises reality. What I'd like to pass on is much less enigmatic: always try your best and never put yourself or anyone else down; and success is not about money, looks or intelligence, but about what kind of person you are inside.'
Miranda Irving, 44, Hampshire

 

'My mum is 71 and in all her life she has never put her face in the sun. As a small child I remember her sitting in the shade and always with a parasol. Her skin, even now, is amazing. She was in hospital for tests recently and the doctor thought she was in her 50s. I have followed suit and have great skin for my age and very few lines. This is the wisdom I would like to pass on to my children.'
Claire Barber, 35, Newcastle-upon-Tyne

 

We'd like to hear what your mum passed on to you - or what you'll pass on to your children… Add your comment below.