Spin Cycle--Mom!

I remember being so mad at my mom when I was about 16.  She insisted I clean my room.  Privilege revoking was threatened.  Angry words were said.  Grudgingly, and sullenly I cleaned and picked up.  Never realizing the lesson I was being taught.
Why did my room have to be clean?  No one saw it but me and I knew mostly where everything was. (All over the floor, but who's looking?)  Why did she have to be so mean about it?  It doesn't matter if it's clean, it's just going to get cluttered again.  This is so unfair!  Why does she have to pick on me about this?  It doesn't matter if my clothes are put away!  Those are the ones I wear most often any way.  And on the rant went in muttered tones.
I realized what she was trying to teach me when I moved into my first apartment, well Nick's and my first apartment.  Those floors did not clean themselves.  Laundry was only done if I did it.  The magic elves did not come clean the bathroom.  Or do dishes.  It was then that I realized why my mom had harped on me to clean my room.  So I learned those skills it takes to live on my own.
Other things I learned form my mother:

• Cooking solid basic food can be tasty.
• How to sort laundry.
• How to fold fitted sheets.
• Clean is better than spotless and a lot more doable.
• A clean kitchen and bathroom are necessary.
• How to fold towels.
• How to iron.
• Be proud of your kids.
• Make sure they learn the little stuff.

I have boys.  Not quite the same relationship between a mother and son as it is between a mother and daughter.  But, I am hoping to teach my boys life skills too.  With any luck the things I teach them will stick with them and they will have their own epiphanies once they are on their own, like I did.
What did you learn from your mother?
This week's spin is all about mother.  Any spin you want to put on it as long as it's about mother, spin it up and go let Gretchen know you've got a spin to add to the wash.