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SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

We asked area residents what was the best advice their moms ever gave them. Here's what they had to say:

`One thing I remember -- my mother is a psychologist -- and she always told me to think outside the box and don't go along with what everyone's supposed to do. It helped shape who I am today and the direction my life has gone. It's helped me make decisions about things.''

-- Jennifer Marcellana, South Attleboro

`` To trust my instincts. It helps me be a better mom; I have a 2year-old. It builds confidence.'' -- Amy Rhilinger, Plainville

`` To get your work done because a lot of the time I've been upset about something or disappointed about something and I just keep at it. It all works out in the end. It's better than giving up. Stop complaining and just do the work. It's usually helped me out in the end. At least it gets the work done!''

-- Sue Hindersmann, Norton

`` My sweet Irish mother taught me to never lose my faith in God and to always turn to him in prayer, for he will listen. When we are young we all live in our own little world. But as we grow older and some get married, others take other paths in this life, we become more aware of our own faults and failures. My mother taught me that never think riches will take the place of the simple things in life.

Help others in need; don't only think of yourself because no matter what happens in life you can always look around and see someone a great deal worse off.

Awake each morning and never ever for get to thank our heavenly father for all his blessings to us. Most of all, never hold a grudge towards anyone. It solves nothing and it has and can destroy families. His love for all of us heals and gives inner peace as does the power of prayers.''

-- Anita Vallett, 82, Attleboro

`` Don't wish it all away. Kids grow up too fast. When they're whining, crying and screaming you know you're not going to have this forever. I've learned to be more patient.''

-- Amy Mottinger, North Attleboro

`` Back when I was in school she told me to deal with my education before anything else. Because she worked a lot, I have a high work ethic'85She would promote that when I was younger. I try to keep the same traits as her. She's an honest person, hardworking.'' -- Clinton Curtis, Attleboro

`` Listen to your mother. She's usually right.''

-- Priscilla O'Sullivan, Attleboro

`` To treat people the way you want to be treated because God told us to.''

-- Isaiah O'Sullivan, 5, Attleboro

`` To be patient (when dealing with children). It's not a big deal. You realize they're things you'll laugh about later. They're already happy memories.''

-- Kellye Mchoul, North Attleboro

`` To pray even when I didn't feel like it. It's something I've always remembered and has kept my heart right. It helps me pretty much in every area of my life.''

-- Rebekah Mchoul, North Attleboro

`` To get some sleep. She's always telling me to go to sleep and she's usually right. I usually wake up in the morning half-dead. She's been telling me since I was little and as I've gotten older, I realize she's right. My sleep schedule has changed.''

-- Sara Beth Sanford

`` Mother sacrificed so much, charging only one dollar for piano and harmony lessons in our Illinois village, so that she could pay for art and music lessons for her daughters in nearby Springfield. She made sure that Daddy drove us to the best concerts, museums and cultural events in the area, and that we took weekly trips to the Springfield Public Library. As Mom remarked, `You never need to feel lonely when you have music and a good book to read.' How often I heed her advice in my senior years, here in Attleboro, my adopted home.''

-- Rigmor Christiansen Clark, Attleboro

My Mom Gives Great Advice

Kerry Nado

Plainville, MA 508-699-1312

`` My mom gives superb advice. Once she told me to study for a test. I studied for three minutes. She told me to keep studying or I would fail the test. So I studied for 20 more minutes. The next day after my teacher said that the highest grade on the test was a 92 percent, my stomach flip-flopped. I was wondering if I had studied enough. After everyone had begged for my teacher to inform us who got the 92, my heart skipped a beat when the teacher called out my name! My mom's advice to keep studying rewarded me because I beat all the smart kids! Man is my mom amazing!''

-- Kerry Nado, Plainville

`` My mother, Anne Hamilton, gave me the best advice that I will always use and remember. It was `never put anything on a credit card if you can't pay it off at the end of that month.' I still use those words of advice to date. I even teach my students in my Personal Finance class that theory today!''

-- Heather Pelletier, Mansfield

`` One of my mom's legacies will be that she instilled in us a deep sense of family traditions. As my sisters and I have grown older and our families have grown larger, she always ensures that we take the time out of our busy lives to gather as a family to celebrate the milestones of our lives. Now well past our thirtysomething years, we still get together at one of our homes to share a meal to mark birthdays, anniversaries and holidays. These occasions help keep our all of our families close.''

-- John Coyle, Plainville

I've included a photo of our family. From left to right are my sister Susan Layton, our Dad John, our Mom Dorothy, myself (also John) and my sister Beverley Andrade. `` Every time I stayed home from school she'd call home and leave a message on the machine: `If you don't go to school you'll end up working at a pet store all your life.' Now, I work at a Shell station part-time.''

-- T.J. Gomes, Attleboro High School senior

`` Always respect one another, especially your wife and always your mother, because your mother is always your mother.''

-- John Vigevani, North Attleboro

`` Always say please and thank you. And wash your hands!''

-- Kerry Vigevani, North Attleboro

`` Just trust yourself (when raising a child), you'll do all right.'' Searle added, `` It's working!''

-- Karen Searle, Rehoboth

`` Stay away from girls. Love your mother. Most of it I didn't listen to and should have.''

-- Ralph DeGraft, Norton

`` Be good to yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated.''

-- Steve Higgins, Attleboro

`` That I would end up having two kids like her and now I have two of them.''

-- Jenn Plante, Norton

`` Don't yell at your kids when you're actually mad. Wait until you cool off.''

-- Nicole Burkett, Attleboro

`` Sleep when (your babies) sleep.''

-- Tabitha Hulme, Attleboro

`` Don't have arguments in front of your kids or raise your voice.''

-- Susan Mastandrea, Attleboro

`` Stay in school and don't do drugs.''

-- Bob Smith, South Attleboro

`` If you're going to do something, do it right.''

-- Jeff Rowse, South Attleboro