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Parenting
What’s Your Family Motto?
by Emma Caldwell
Updated: Aug. 12, 2015
Originally Published: March 11, 2015
My children often joke that our family motto is simply, “Kids, it’s time to do the dishes!” Our dishwasher broke down a few years ago, and with more kids than funds to repair it, we’ve resorted to washing dishes like pioneers.
While “Time to do the dishes” may lack poetic flair, I believe it fosters teamwork and resilience—qualities that seem increasingly rare in today’s youth. My kids tease me about my perspective, to which I respond, “You’re not the boss of me!” (Perhaps this could be our second motto.)
If your family doesn’t have a motto, don’t fret. I reached out to several parents for theirs, and none are copyrighted. Feel free to adapt or mix these mottos to fit your family’s dynamics and current challenges with appliances.
We’ve Got This.
“Our family rallying cry is ‘We’ve got this,’” shares Tara Richards from Denver, Colorado. It’s a phrase we use in a variety of situations, from everyday chores to serious moments like supporting a family member facing health challenges. “Recently, we’ve relied on it to help our son manage his anxiety,” Tara explains. “Sometimes we tweak it to ‘You’ve got this,’ but we prefer ‘We’ve got this’ to show him that we’re together in this.”
Be Less Helpless.
“Our family motto comes into play when the kids ask us for help with tasks they can actually do themselves,” says Linda Thompson from Springfield, IL. As a mother of two teenagers, she finds this motto useful in all situations. “My kids remind me to ‘be less helpless’ when I ask my 6-foot-tall son to reach something on a high shelf, pointing to the footstool instead.”
Seek and Ye Shall Find.
My neighbor, Rachel, recalls this phrase as her mother’s favorite saying. “Every time we misplaced something—shoes, hats, or notebooks—my mom would tell us, ‘Seek and ye shall find.’”
You Must Be Confused.
“Our motto is often said by one of the adults when one of our five kids, four of whom are teenagers, makes outrageous requests,” states Mark Johnson from New Jersey. “For instance, when they suggest a lavish Sweet 16 party or claim it’s not their responsibility to shovel the driveway.” This phrase is quite handy for those moments when kids confuse their reality with that of a celebrity.
Seriously?
“My husband believes our motto is ‘Anything less than perfect is unacceptable,’” says Mary Adams from Austin, TX. “But for me, it’s simply ‘Seriously?’” She laughs recalling when her 12-year-old daughter asked if she could go out to dinner wearing a large red marker-drawn scar on her face as part of a cosplay outfit.
Be a Toughie, Not a Fluffy.
My sister, Claire, has successfully raised two children to adulthood, and she often says, “Be a toughie, not a fluffy.” This motto is meant to instill the idea that kids can endure challenges more than they think. My friend Sarah adds a similar sentiment: “If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.” Unfortunately, as she admits, her 13-year-old daughter hasn’t fully grasped this yet.
Safe and Happy.
Rachel McCarthy emphasizes her motto as “Safe and happy.” “As long as my kids are safe and happy, everything else is just fluff.” This motto resonates especially when one parent is out and the other is juggling responsibilities. It serves as a reminder against unrealistic expectations.
As a family, we unite through mottos to support each other during tough times—“We’ve got this.” We also strive to keep each other safe and encourage personal growth. A good family motto should promote responsibility and independence. So yes, “Time to do the dishes!” is a solid contender for our motto, and I think it’s a keeper.
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Summary:
This article explores various family mottos that foster teamwork, resilience, and independence among children. From “We’ve got this” to “Time to do the dishes,” each motto reflects unique family dynamics and encourages personal growth. Parents can adapt these mottos to reinforce values within their households.