I say what I mean and I mean what I say.

My mom always used to say, “I say what I mean and I mean what I say,” and looking back, it was something I didn’t fully grasp until I learned it the hard way. I remember one particular instance when I was being especially sassy, talking back in a way that I knew would push her buttons. She warned me that if I spoke to her like that again, I wouldn’t be able to go to my friend’s sleepover. I didn’t take her warning seriously–I was certain she wouldn’t follow through.

Well, I did it again. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I could see her expression shift. My mom didn’t raise her voice or launch into a long lecture–she simply told me I had lost the privilege of going to the sleepover. I started crying–hard, I begged, I pleaded, I even tried to convince her I had learned my lesson, but it didn’t matter. My mom stayed firm in her decision. I didn’t go to the sleepover, and I learned one of the most important lessons about boundaries and consequences.

That day, I truly understood what she meant when she said, “I mean what I say.” My mom didn’t give into my tears or my pleading; she stuck to her word, and in the end, I realized how important it was to respect the promises people make. It wasn’t about being harsh; it was about teaching me responsibility, accountability, and the reality that actions have real consequences. After that, whenever she said something, I knew she meant it–and I learned to listen, not just hear.