My daughters like to joke that our family motto is, “Hey girls, it’s time to do the dishes!” Our dishwasher gave up on us a few years back, and since I have more children than I have funds for repairs, we’ve taken to washing our dishes the old-fashioned way.
While “Time to do the dishes” may not be the most poetic saying, I believe it fosters cooperation and instills a sense of resilience that’s often missing in kids these days. My daughters roll their eyes and tell me I’m silly, to which I respond, “You’re not in charge of me!” (Perhaps another candidate for our family motto.)
If your family doesn’t have a motto, no problem at all! I chatted with several parents, and none of their mottos are copyrighted. Feel free to adapt or mix and match them to fit your family’s dynamics, ages, and appliance malfunctions.
We’ve Got This
Kathy Johnson from Springfield, IL, shares that her family’s motto, “We’ve got this,” serves as a unifying phrase in various situations, from tackling a mountain of laundry to more serious matters like health challenges. “Recently, we’ve used it to support our son through his anxiety,” Kathy explains. “Sometimes we tweak it to ‘You’ve got this,’ but the core message is about togetherness.”
Be Less Helpless
“Our family motto comes into play when the kids request help with tasks they can actually manage,” says Lisa Green from Millville, NJ. As a mom of two teens, she finds the motto can be applied in many scenarios. “My kids will remind me of it too, especially when I ask my tall son to fetch something from a high shelf. My daughter is quick to point to the step stool and tell me to be less helpless.”
Seek and Ye Shall Find
Lorri, my neighbor, recalls her mother’s guiding principle: “Seek and ye shall find.” This motto was frequently stated when her siblings and she would ask their mom if she knew the whereabouts of their missing items, like shoes or homework.
You Must Be Confused
“Our family often uses this phrase when one of the adults needs to remind one of our five kids—four of whom are now teenagers,” shares Emily Bright from New Jersey. “It’s for those moments when they make outlandish requests like, ‘Can I throw a Sweet 16 party with a caterer and 100 guests?’ or when they claim, ‘I’m not responsible for shoveling the driveway.’” Note: “You must be confused” is quite handy for when kids mistake themselves for celebrities or you for a famous figure.
Seriously?
“My husband believes our family motto is ‘Anything less than the best is a crime,’” says Jessica Turner from Austin, TX. “But for me, it’s simply ‘Seriously?’” She chuckles, recalling when her 12-year-old asked if she could “wear her makeup scar” to dinner—a scar drawn on her face with a marker for a cosplay event.
Be a Toughie, Not a Fluffy
Anne, my sister from Barnesville, PA, has successfully raised two children into adulthood. She often encourages her kids to “Be a toughie, not a fluffy,” emphasizing that they can endure more than they think, especially when facing new challenges. Similarly, Kate’s family motto is, “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” “Unfortunately,” Kate laments, “my 13-year-old daughter has yet to grasp that one.”
Safe and Happy
Meg Wilson believes in the mantra “Safe and happy.” She explains, “As long as the kids are safe and happy, everything else is minor.” This motto is particularly relevant when another adult is supervising the kids or when one parent is out and the other is handling things solo. I interpret “Safe and happy” as a rallying cry against unrealistic parenting expectations.
Kids, during tough times, remember we stand by you as a family—“We’ve got this.” Together, we’ll ensure everyone is safe and become each other’s biggest supporters. But we’ll also encourage resilience and responsibility, nudging you toward independence.
“Time to do the dishes!” is a perfectly fine motto, and I think it’s worth keeping.
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Summary:
This article explores various family mottos that promote teamwork, resilience, and independence among children. From “We’ve got this” to “Safe and happy,” these phrases serve as guiding principles for families navigating everyday challenges together.