It's not an exaggeration to say that mothers make the world go round. With Mother's Day coming up, we asked our readers and students from the Barksdale Boys and Girls Club: What's the best advice your mother gave you?

Matthew Eldridge

....'if the raisins look like they're moving in your raisin bran, don't eat them.

Amy Dailey Amweg

Hold them love them teach them and let them grow!

Susan Simons

Pretty is as pretty does- sure wish I always followed her instruction!

Michelle-Andrea Howell Mobley

You never know how or when people will circle back around into your life - so don't burn bridges for no reason

Annette Godwin
Mother: Jean King

Always leave somebody with a smile because it’s free and it doesn’t cost anything.

Carol Wyre, Program Director
Mother: Alice Wyre

Sometime the best advice that one can receive is the words that are never said. My mother is a woman of a few words, but a powerful presence. This is the woman that I have grown to become. She gave advice on what we should do and should not do, but what was more powerful was “the look.” One look from her let us know that we were doing something wrong and we had better revert back to the lessons she taught us. One look from her let us know that she was very disappointed in our behavior and that we would possibly have a meeting with her later on that day. One look from her meant that we had crossed the line and although we were still children, she was well aware of the fact that we knew better because she taught us better. One look from her also meant, JOB WELL DONE!

We grew up knowing those looks and tried our best to make sure that we received the look that garnered praise.

So the best advice my mother gave me without so much as saying a word was know the look and make sure you act accordingly. It is a look that my son recognizes as well.

Rhaven Green, 10
Mother: Marla Green

The best advice my mother gave me is to never lie to anyone. She told me if I ever lied the consequences would be worse than the lie. She said I should never lie to anyone in my entire life. If I were to ever lie and my mother found out, I don’t think I would be able to face the consequences. I know it would be really, really bad. This is why I don not lie.

Salvador Garcia, 11
Mother: Maria Garcia

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to be yourself. She told me do not be someone that I am not. People will respect you more for the person you are. She said that people won’t like you if you pretend to be someone you are not.

I think she is right. People won’t like you if you are not who you are. You know what they say, “Moms Know Best”, so remember ALWAYS BE YOURSELF!

Joi Nobles, 10
Mother: Jewel Scott-Nobles

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to try new things. She always wants me to experience what I am unfamiliar with.

Marlenne Aviles, 10
Mother: Josefina Najera

The best advice my mother ever gave me was when we were moving to another state. They told me not to worry. We were moving from Mexico to Georgia and I was very scared. She said, “If anyone makes fun of you, ignore them!” She told me to be polite and say please and thank you.

I thought I would feel like I was different, but that day I learned that everybody is the same. We may look different, but we are all the same.

Jalissa Gaither, 11
Mother: Naomi Gaither

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to never give up on life and to pray, alwas pray. When life gets hard and you sometimes feel down, never just walk away. Do the best that you can and pray!

Mackenzie Banks, 10
Mother: Tasha Bigby

The best advice my mother gave me was to always try to do my best. She said to try to do my best in whatever I do. This includes the benchmark, CRCT, tests, and how I treat people. I promised my mom that I will always do my best all the time. She said if I always try to do my best than I will always be happy with what I accomplish.

Aaren McGann, 11
Mother: Kahaliah Petty

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to treat others the way I want to be treated. I think that this is the best idea because all people want to be treated fairly and nicely. My mom gave me this advice because she thinks I talk about people too much and when I do, she makes me apologize to them. She knows that sometimes people are sad and if I treat them nice, they may feel better.. It’s good to respect people because people have feelings too. Sometime other people do not treat people with respect and they don’t care about their feelings either.

Malek Grayson, 11
Mother: Stephanie King

The best advice my mother ever gave me was to look both ways before crossing the street. The reason she said this is because I almost got hit by a car. I wasn’t looking and I could have died. Right after that, she started holding my hand.

By the time I got older, she reminded me that I needed to look both ways. Now I always look both ways before crossing the street.

Atreal Loyd, 11
Mother: Latina Williams

The best advioce my mother ever gave me was to treat people like I wanted to be treated. The reason my mother told me this was because one day she saw me being mean to my twin sister. She told me not to be mean because I would not like it if my sister was mean to me. I also wouldn’t like it if other people were mean to me.

I thought about it and then I felyt pretty bad. If people were mean to me, I would feel pretty bad and also sad. She then told us that we were brother and sister and that we needed to look out for one another. We are suppose to be nice to each other and we are suppose to be nice to everyone else…all the time.

So I try to be nice to everyone all the time.

Gerardo Aviles, 11
Mother: Josefina Najera

The best advice my mother gave me was not to talk to strangers. My mom told me this because she wanted me to be safe. My mom told me that when my cousin was talking to strangers, he ended up getting killed. So I know my mom told me this because of safety. I thank my mom for this advice so that I can be safe and this is why I love my mom.

Luis Palomino, 11
Mother : Liduvina Palomino

The best advice my mother gave me was to be nice to everyone. She said, “If you are nice to people, they will be nice to you.” So I took her advice and I am nice to everyone and people are nice to me. I thank my mom for that great advice.