What my mother taught me about motherhood

We asked readers to tell us what their own mothers had taught them about being a mum. Here are some of their replies.

Enjoy it while it lasts

"‘They don't need you for long so enjoy it while it lasts’. That was my mother's tip to me when my first child was born. And she was right; my daughter so quickly got more interested in her friends. Obviously, she still needs me really, but it's not like it was when she was tiny and looking to me for all her needs." – Asha

Pick your battles

"My mother told me not to turn everything into a stand-off. She was a relaxed mother herself and usually preferred the calm approach to any situation. She told me not to worry if the children don't always eat their vegetables or if you let the odd thing slide – after all, we turned out alright!" – Gen

[Related article: Five things your children can teach you]

Make time for your other half (and yourself)

"My parents always made an effort to spend time with each other – and to give each other child-free time. They had – and still have – a great marriage. My mother always said that your husband is the one who is left when all your children have moved out, so it's important not to neglect your relationship. Seeing such a healthy relationship has taught my brother and me to pick lovely other halves ourselves." – Suzi

Make do and mend

"My mother's motto was 'use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without', which used to drive me mad as a child in the 80s when everything was about status symbols. Now we're in this age of austerity, I'm glad I learned to make do and mend – and I've tried to teach my children the value of things. They don't have as many toys as their cousins but they look after the ones they do a lot better." – Leila

Care for others

"My husband's mother and grandmother are both very active in their community and are always looking after people or volunteering to help. Being kind comes naturally to them and it comes naturally to my husband too thanks to their influence. He's the nicest person I know and I hope our daughters learn that from him." – Tara

[Related article: How not to be a paranoid parent]

Boredom is mother of creativity

"We grew up in the countryside with no friends around. My mother didn't particularly see the need to entertain us and we weren't over-burdened with toys. At the time, I thought that was pretty rubbish; I spent a lot of time being bored. But now I'm great at making my own entertainment, often have fun doing things other people think of as boring – and I can teach my daughters how to build a really good den in the garden." – Alice

A little bit of love goes a long way

"My mum always made me feel really loved and included. I used to get up in the morning and have a cup of weak milky tea with biscuits with her. I felt a part of things and it still gives me a glow thinking about it now." – Alex

Keep on smiling

"My mother was hilarious. I miss the funny stuff she used to say, but thinking about it always brings a smile to my lips. She taught me the power of a really good belly laugh; I tried to keep that with me even when I was a tired and stressed out new mother. It’s so easy to take it all too seriously, especially when they hit the terrible twos, but so much of what they do will make you laugh when you look back. My only sadness was that she wasn't there to laugh with me." - Anon

At the heart of Team Mum is the video series Raising an Olympian, sponsored by Proctor and Gamble, profiling athletes from across the world, their dedicated efforts to make it to Olympic Games, and the mothers who had tremendous impacts on their lives. Watch the videos on Yahoo! Lifestyle Team Mum.