“Nobody tells you what to do unless they sign your paycheck … and even then sometimes you shouldn’t listen.”
— Kathleen — Jacksonville, Florida

“You have to make your own choices.” I’ve come to him numerous times; he listens, makes a comment, and then tells me to figure out the right thing to do.
— Heather

When I was 15 my Dad told me that sex wasn’t something bad, that I was likely to have sex throughout my life, and that my attitude toward myself would shape the attitude boys had toward me.
— Anthea

The best advice that my daddy ever gave me was on how to raise my daughter. He said, “When she falls don’t run to her; if she isn’t passed out, she’ll probably be all right.”
— Wendy

My grandpa always said, “Think before you act.” Though the way he phrased it was, “Ask yourself if you would want your children to find out about this in the future.”
— Kerri — Virginia Beach, Virginia

“Praise in public, criticize in private.” My father, Paul R. Williams, was a United States Marine but he always understood the importance of people’s feelings, including those of his own kids.
— Melinda — Columbus, Ohio

“There are wish bones, jaw bones, and back bones. Those who dream about doing things things, those who talk about doing things, and those who actually accomplish things.” He always encouraged me to be the back bone. — Chuck

When I was a young child, my father told me family is the most important thing there is in life. You can always count on them. What a wonderful feeling to know unconditional love.
— Shana

The best advice my dad ever gave me was to always tell the truth. People will always react more positively if you bring your mistake to their attention versus them finding it out on their own.
— Cindy

For my dad, actions spoke louder than words. He taught me the difference between flathead and Phillips screwdrivers, how to swing a hammer, to do all your shopping in one trip to save gas, and that when you forge your father’s name to a letter for school make certain he will never find out. He also taught me that matters between us stayed between us.
— Nicole

“Never date a man you couldn’t marry.”
— Jennifer Carey

“It takes a lot of work to make a marriage work and the most important thing is to bite your tongue.”
— Wendy — Brush Prairie, Washington

To save the maximum 16 percent of my salary in a 401K plan. He was right!  After working for almost 11 years, I retired to raise my children. His advice has allowed me to do what I value most: stay home with my children.
— Cristina — Morris Plains, New Jersey

The best advice my father gave me was never spoken, but I observed it. My father never talks about, degrades, or spreads gossip about anybody. I think that is very admirable.
— Jill — Sioux Falls, South Dakota

“How will you know if you don’t try?” I know my dad didn’t coin this phrase, but it sure is true.
— Marion — Danville, Virginia

“Mom is always right!”
— Luke

“The future belongs to those who dare: This advice helps me whenever I need courage.
— Sridevi — Coppell, Texas

“Be a better parent than your parents. Stop bad cycles and habits. Always try to better yourself because when you’re better your children get better.” He was right.
— Jennifer Rivera-Loeffler

“Stick with the truth and let the chips fall where they may.”
— Lisa — Milo, Iowa

When I was told that I would not be able to have children, he said that I didn’t have to carry a child to be a mother.
— K. Ray

Before I got married, he told me that marriage is not a “50-50″ proposition; but that I’d have to give more like 100 percent as there would be times my husband or I wouldn’t be able to contribute our 50 percent.
— Kathy

“Vive tu vida, porque la vida es corta.” Live your life, because life is short.
— Jesus

I was concerned about all the money my parents spent on my education and I wanted to repay them. My dad told me that the best repayment was to share the values, the traditions, the memories with my own children. I now have three and I hope to make that payment in full.
— Valerie

“No matter how badly someone might have treated you, give them love, kindness, and forgiveness in return.”
— Leslie — Quincy,Washington

On my wedding day he told me that whenever I decided to have kids to remember to be a wife first and a mom second and not to forget to make my husband a priority.
— Michelle — Middletown, Connecticut

“Never doubt yourself. The world is your oyster!” That drive pushes me to succeed to this day.
— Molly — Chicago

“Treat others as you would be treated, don’t judge a person by how they look, your family comes first, and help those around you who need help.”
— Karen — Hopkinton, Maine

I know this is the most typical advice, but my dad always told me to do my best. To keep at what I believed in, and to realize that there will always be days and people who will want to hold me back.
— Jennifer