Mediocre Mum

Smile and Fake It!

This is the best advice my mother ever gave me.  I’ve used it countless times:

  • When the midwife came around and was asking about breastfeeding and I’d just been busy hiding all evidence of bottles.
  • When accidentally fair jumping on the underground in Budapest and had a run in with the transit police which resulted in a tug-of-war with passports.
  • When making small talk with someone who I can’t stand and I know the feeling’s mutual.
  • When leading a training session on a piece of software I’ve never seen before.
  • When I was the 2nd woman ever allowed into the Ministry of education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and the entire meeting was in Arabic.  I didn’t have a clue what was going on.
  • In the bedroom, I don’t think I need to elaborate on this as you ladies know exactly what I mean!
  • When talking politics, if you were to ask me who the Prime Minister of Canada was I’d have to look it up.

What’s the best advice anyone has ever given you?

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Comments

16 responses to “Smile and Fake It!”

  1. The Real Mamma Diari Avatar
    The Real Mamma Diari

    I know exactly what you mean. My latest one was when my son's teacher asked if I'd been supervising his maths homework (I can't even add up and had to retake my maths three times so I could get into university to do communications!) and when my mum asked me if I'd given up drinking red wine!

    Reply
  2. mummy bear Avatar
    mummy bear

    Good advice mum! How mad to have been at the ministry of education in Riyadh! I think for me…what will be will be….is what my mum always says, and shes right, although I hate to admit it!

    Reply
  3. veryboredincatalunya Avatar
    veryboredincatalunya

    I smile and fake it on an almost everyday basis, I pretend to understand what someone has said to me in Spanish or worse still Catalan when really I have absolutely no idea.I think the best piece of advice I've ever received (again from my mother) is that if something is worth doing then do it well, otherwise don't bother at all.

    Reply
  4. Crystal Jigsaw Avatar
    Crystal Jigsaw

    We are allowed to smile and fake it though aren't we? Otherwise I'd be in serious trouble.CJ xx

    Reply
  5. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    As they say, I'd be up the creek without a paddle!

    Reply
  6. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    It's interesting that we go from thinking that they are god and quickly realise they know nothing….very liberating moment!

    Reply
  7. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    Don't think my mum would waste time asking me about my wine consumption! Plus, I'm incapable of lying to the woman!

    Reply
  8. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    It was a fantastic experience and met loads of wonderful woman who I still keep in touch with. In reflection, my mums been right on many occasions as well but I'm not going to admit it either!

    Reply
  9. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    Our mothers are clever aren't they.

    Reply
  10. aliceharold Avatar
    aliceharold

    The best bit of advice I've ever had is from my mum and dad who always say 'everything happens for a reason'. I truly believe that, and any time a situation hasn't gone my way I think of it and it brings me some comfort :)

    Reply
  11. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    I use that one as well…it's a positive way at looking at things. :-)

    Reply
  12. hadavis1966 Avatar
    hadavis1966

    I leave by the “why worry it might not happen” creed. And most of the time it works!
    I love that you hid the bottles from the midwife. I did the same. God those midwives are scary!

    Reply
  13. Angelhales Avatar
    Angelhales

    "When the midwife came around and was asking about breastfeeding and I’d just been busy hiding all evidence of bottles." – That one did make me laugh! Its true I think, smiling and faking it works for so much. I use it constantly to hid my personal anguishes which mean no one can see them, so no one can ask.

    Reply
  14. mediocremum Avatar
    mediocremum

    Read your post the other day…keep writing while you're going through all this. I'm sure it will help. Look forward to meeting you in July.

    Reply
  15. The Moiderer Avatar
    The Moiderer

    I hate to bring the tone down but my hubby's father told him “Don't marry a woman with big hands, she'll make you feel small”
    It took him a while to understand that!

    Reply
  16. Caroline Bolam Avatar
    Caroline Bolam

    my mum always used to say, you can't blow up a popped balloon. In other words, know when to let go of something! Very true! Although have smiled and faked it many times! Nothing wrong with a good bit of blagging, as long as you cheat within your own hand (like in cards).

    Reply

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