I wonder if today's young mothers quote to their daughters like we senior citizens did - and do?

Nice Girls Don't:

€ Eat in the street.

€ Dye their hair.

€ Wear jewelry that makes a noise.

€ Smoke in public.

€ Wear shoes that need heeling!

Child: Everyone else does it!

Parent: “Just because everyone else does it, doesn't make it right.” Or, “If everyone else was jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?”

Parent - Regarding beauty care

€ You don't need make-up at your age!

€ Never pluck your eyebrows!

€ Brush your hair 100 times before bedtime!

€ Shave your legs now, you'll have to deal with the bristles for the rest of your life!

€ Pluck out one gray hair, and another seven grow in its place!

€ One hour's sleep before midnight is worth two after hours.

I'm sure your family had their own set of “orders” for the young folks. Maybe they were helpful. Maybe they were just considered a nuisance to them, mostly ignored!

Yet, when we think back to those familiar “guidelines” we all heard, I'll bet most of you readers, like me, regard them as the essence of what you live by today.

Well, mostly! Think about it!

€ Shut the door tight!

€ Button your coat.

€ Don't forget your pencil.

€ Close your mouth when you chew!

€ Don't sit on the edge of the bed.

€ Dirty clothes in the hamper!

€ Wipe your feet!

€ Clean your plate! (My Dad's favorite!)

How was it at your house? Maybe this could be an interesting conversation at the dinner table tonight. Try it. I dare you!

Dorothy Nelson lives and writes in Auburn