MOTHERS pass on genuine pearls of wisdom when they advise their children — and that’s official.

What mum worthy of the name hasn’t uttered to her offspring “Always try your best”, “You only get out of life what you put into it” or “Never spend money you don’t have” among the platitudes. A Clinton Cards’ survey shows that we actually give our children 41 useful sayings to help them in life. The list includes the ones our own mothers and grandmothers told us which come automatically to the lips, naturally including “Mum knows best.”

While it’s nice for us mums to get official approval in this way, after reviewing the full list realistically, I’m afraid the main one that comes to mind that fits this mum best is “Do as I say, not as I do.”