Life lessons on Mother’s Day: what we have learned from our mums | Letters

Readers recall advice from their mothers – and fathers – on navigating the world

I so enjoyed Tim Dowling’s article on advice from his mother (My mother’s best advice: learn to raise one eyebrow at the world, 11 March). My own mother died in October and, while she never gave me any advice about facial expressions, she certainly taught me the importance of seeing the absurd in the world around us and to take pleasure in that, but without mocking, criticising or belittling. A metaphorical raise of the eyebrow, if you will, and something that I still reflect on.
David Nancarrow
Marlborough, Wiltshire

• Regarding words of wisdom from mothers, a friend’s mum taught her to recite the mantra “Bus pass, dinner money, homework, handkerchief” whenever she left the house to go to school. It still applies in principle. The first two have been replaced by a phone and credit card, the third by reading specs. But the necessity of a simple handkerchief has stood the test of time. Thank you, Mrs Moss.
Caroline Alexander
Sevenoaks, Kent