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I can’t tell you enough how grateful we are for this smart, funny community of women. So, to turn the spotlight on the special daily conversations that happen in the comment section, we rounded up some of our favorite reader quotes that have made us laugh, cry and rethink our own lives over the years. (Stella recently turned to me and said, “Are our readers… Oprah?”)
On parenting:
“The key to parenting is spending time with the children on their terms. A grandmother I know has a grandson who’s 16 — and she likes to sit in his room and watch as he plays computer games. He talks a lot when she sits there, whereas he says practically nothing if he has to sit with the elders in the living room. I found that so inspiring.” — Marianna on Slow Parenting
“My 1.5 year old loves it when I shake out the new garbage bag before putting it in the can. She always says ‘Mama!’ afterward in this admiring tone of voice.” — Ramona on Things That Enchant Children
“My dad always made my sister and I his ‘famous’ scrambled eggs – perfect fluffy eggs with a side of toast. A few years ago, my then-foster teen (now adopted kid) was having a particularly tough time, so we sent her over to my parents’ house. And yup, she got a ‘famous.’ ” — Sarah on Signature Dinners
“My parents, being Chinese immigrants, were like, ‘What is the tooth fairy?’ So I had to tell my dad that it wasn’t a real thing but it was just something nice for growing up. He shrugged and gave me $10.” — Betty on Tooth Fairy Ideas
“The best advice I ever received as a young parent came from my mom, who told me, ‘You don’t need a lot of money to have fun and raise happy children.’ She told me to do things they will remember, like going for a walk in the dark, looking at the stars and watching the boats go through the drawbridge. These are the things, she told me, that your kids will remember. And she was right.” — Annette on Slow Parenting
On relationships:
“My husband and I recently had a night to ourselves, and he came up with this game where we’d blurt out a number, say 12, and the other person had to tell a story about something that happened to them at that age. It was great digging into the nooks and crannies of our brains for stories we still hadn’t told each other.” — Candice on Dinner Icebreakers
“Something I once read really shifted my feelings about appearance. The writer asked us to think about the people in our lives that we deeply love. What do they look like? Are they models? Thin? Perfect? I began to think of some of my dear friends in their 80’s, wrinkled and grey. My brother, who is insanely tall, hairy, with a funny underbite. I realized I don’t love them because of their looks. I love them because of who they are, their beautiful hearts, their generosity and loyalty. My thinking shifted about my own looks and I realized the people who love me most feel that way. The fact that the sun-spot on my cheek is getting bigger or that my neck is getting saggy in my forties has nothing to do with it. I have to love myself for the same reasons.” — Twyla on Seeing My Body With Fresh Eyes
“My gold standard of friendship is my mom. When she was a young mother, she got together other mothers in the neighborhood for a book club, which then evolved into a ‘we didn’t read the book anyway, let’s choose a play or go to a class this month’ club. This summer they are going to a villa in Spain for their 25th anniversary. They call themselves the Goddesses, and they all came to my bridal shower and sent cards when my first baby arrived.” — Katie on The Joy of All-Female Gatherings
“My biggest breakup advice: buy new sheets. It feels good to sleep in a refreshed bed that’s newly ALL YOURS after sharing it with a former partner (even if you didn’t live together).” — Katie on A Guide to Heartbreak
On career:
“‘What if I told you that you could make $5,000 by having a five-minute conversation? Then would you do it? Because that’s what it is.’ This is the question my husband asks (also to himself) when someone has to negotiate their salary.” — Rachel on How to Ask for a Raise
“The two biggest things that I urge people to remember as they step into leadership roles are:
1. Hold everyone to the same standards. People notice if you let your ‘favorite’ employee arrive three minutes late but come down hard on the newbie or the person who is struggling.
2. Communicate early and often. Problems don’t just go away, and it’s much easier to address them when they’re little things instead of waiting until they blow out of proportion. If you create a culture where feedback is not only expected, but encouraged and craved, your whole team will consistently strive to improve and grow.” — Allison on How to Be a Boss
“Something I’ve learned: body language says a lot. Look people in the eye, especially if you’re meeting them for the first time or listening to anyone speak. Stand up straight and pull your shoulders back, especially if you’re feeling unsure about yourself. Find something to do with your hands.” — Cindy on Lessons I’ve Learned in My Career
On entertaining:
“Resist the urge at the beginning of the party to put out enough chairs for the first few guests. There will be one person who doesn’t fit on the couch, and that’s okay! It helps to keep the energy up and the conversation flowing.” — Mia on Very Easy Dinner Party
“When I started working as a line cook, I realized how easy and flexible salads could be, so now a go-to dinner is [insert leftover] and a salad. Often we have enough leftovers for what feels like not-quite-dinner, and adding a fresh salad is really nice. I usually just do a mustard vinaigrette on kale or balsamic vinaigrette with romaine and shaved hard cheese (pecorino or parmesan or asiago) with whatever veggies we have around.” — Emma on Easy Dinners
“Clean your windows inside and out! Nothing makes a room feel brighter and fresher than clean windows.” — Katrina on Budget Ways To Transform Your Home
On life advice:
“My dad counsels people dealing with trauma and major anxiety, and once offhandedly mentioned a suggestion he gave to a client: When you’re out, look for people being nice to each other. Having sweet interactions. Look for friends getting coffee or a person holding open a door or strangers saying ‘how you doin’?’ or a dad kissing the top of his daughter’s head. And in Brooklyn, if you look for them, you get to see these tiny magic interactions everywhere. It’s gotten me through moments of secret darkness; it makes me well up with love for all these sweet, fragile, striving people around me; and for the gentle, kind man I learned it from.” — Ari on A Personal Note
“Oh, how I wish I could have a time machine to tell myself…
1. Wear sunscreen, wear sunscreen, wear sunscreen.
2. Appreciate the body you have. You’ll look back at pictures and wonder why you were so critical of yourself.
3. Apply for jobs that seem out of reach. Successful people don’t take jobs where they already know how to do everything that is required.
4. When dating, ask yourself if they are right for you instead of trying to be right for them.
5. Enjoy all that pre-parenthood time to read, take walks and talk to friends for hours.
6. Spend time with your grandmother. You’re going to miss her more than you can imagine.” — Jill on Advice to My Younger Self
“I have to say, I brought a ‘just-in-case dress’ on my recent trip that was red and short and showed some (okay, a lot) of cleavage AND GUESS WHAT?! I ended up having a magical night in Byron Bay, Australia, in that dress — that included a reggae concert, dancing on a beach under a full moon and a cute boy from England. So, ladies, I am team ‘just-in-case dress.'” — MO on What Not to Bring on Vacation
“Do not drive around town, windows down, with Vanilla Ice blasting. You look like an a**hole.” — Tami on Advice to My Younger Self
You are the best. Thank you again for reading.
P.S. 15 career tips from smart women, and how you know your partner is the one.
