My daughters like to joke that our family motto is, “Hey girls, it’s time to tackle the dishes!” After our dishwasher decided to take an unexpected vacation a few years ago, we’ve been washing dishes the old-school way—think Little House on the Prairie. Sure, “Time to tackle the dishes” isn’t the most poetic phrase, but I like to think it fosters teamwork and a bit of resilience, which seems to be in short supply these days. My daughters roll their eyes and tell me I’m full of it, to which I retort, “Who put you in charge?” (That could also make a great family motto!)
If you haven’t established a family motto yet, don’t fret. I reached out to several parents for their mottos, and guess what? None of them are copyrighted. So feel free to adopt or mix and match to fit your family’s vibe, age range, and appliance situations.
We’ve Got This
Kathy Smith from Maplewood, NJ, uses “We’ve got this” as a family cheer in various scenarios, from tackling an overwhelming pile of laundry to navigating more serious challenges like family illnesses. “Lately, it’s especially been our mantra to help our son through his anxiety,” Kathy explains. “We often tweak it to ‘You’ve got this,’ but we prefer ‘We’ve got this’ to remind him he’s not alone.”
Be Less Helpless
“Our family motto comes into play when the kids ask us to do something they can handle themselves,” says Rachel Adams of Riverton, UT. As a mom of two teens, Rachel says this motto has a 360-degree application. “My kids even remind me! When I ask my 6-foot-tall son to grab something from a high shelf, my daughter will point out the footstool and say, ‘Mom, be less helpless.’”
Seek and Ye Shall Find
Lorri, my neighbor, shares her mom’s classic motto: “Seek and ye shall find.” “This was my mother’s go-to phrase whenever my siblings and I would inquire about the whereabouts of our shoes, hats, or any other misplaced items,” she recalls fondly.
You Must Be Confused
“Our motto is often uttered by one of the adults to our five kids, four of whom are teenagers,” shares Jessica Lane from New Jersey. “It usually comes out when the kids propose something like, ‘Can I host a Sweet 16 party with a fancy caterer and 100 guests?’ or ‘I shouldn’t have to shovel the driveway.’” Note: “You must be confused” works wonders when kids mistakenly think they’re the next Kardashian and you’re their personal assistant.
Seriously?
“My husband believes our family motto is ‘Anything less than the best is a felony,’ while I lean toward ‘Seriously?’” says Clara Johnson of Austin, TX. “Just the other day, my 12-year-old asked if she could wear a giant red marker ‘scar’ on her face to dinner. It was part of some anime cosplay!”
Be a Toughie, Not a Fluffy
Anne Parker from Brookville, PA, has two grown children and swears by “Be a toughie, not a fluffy.” She found it helpful for teaching her kids they can withstand more than they think, especially when learning new things. Her friend, Lily, has a similar motto: “If something is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” Unfortunately, Lily points out, her 13-year-old hasn’t quite grasped that one yet!
Safe and Happy
Meg Johnson stands by the motto “Safe and happy.” “As long as my kids are safe and happy, everything else is just extra fluff,” she explains. This mantra comes in handy when another adult watches the kids or when one parent is out and the other is on ‘zone defense.’ I see “Safe and happy” as more than just a motto; it’s a rallying cry against unrealistic expectations we sometimes set for ourselves as parents.
When life gets tough, we’ll be there for each other as a family—“We’ve got this.” Together, we’ll ensure each other’s safety and cheer each other on. But we’ll also help build character, because a solid family motto encourages practicality, responsibility, and a gentle nudge toward independence. So yes, “Time to tackle the dishes!” is a keeper in my book.
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Summary:
Family mottos can foster resilience, teamwork, and independence among kids. From “We’ve got this” to “Be less helpless,” these phrases can inspire and encourage families through everyday challenges, making life just a bit more manageable. Whether it’s tackling chores or navigating tough conversations, a good motto can help families unite in spirit and purpose.