Parent Advice

I think some parental advice that has helped me the most is that everything I do will help to get a better jump into college. They pushed me to get into clubs, sports, and organizations so that it would look good on my college application. They have also told me to keep up my grades. They have been on my case about that since my elementary years. I have carried that with me till this day, and thanks to them I am ranked 23 in my class - Top 10%! I thank them for the advice because it has made me who I am today
Tanya P.
San Benito High School

Well my mom has always told me "treat people how you would like to be treated", this advice has helped me a lot because it is true, if someone treats you bad then there is no reason for you to be kind to them.
Claudia C.
Weslaco High School

Out of all of the advice my parents have given me, I would have to say that the best is when they told me I could talk to them about anything. They would rather have me talk to them than my friends. When they first gave me that advice I was like... yeah, whatever. There's no way I'm talking to them about what I'm going through or what I'm thinking and feeling. Of course I was young, immature, and thought I knew everything. Growing up I have made many mistakes, and up until now my parents have been the only ones that have stuck with me, guided me, and loved me unconditionally throughout every single one. I only wish that I had gone to them for advice a lot sooner than I did, but I'm glad I went to them. A lot of the people I used to hang out with have either gotten pregnant, gone to jail, or just dropped out of school for whatever reason. I don't know where I would be right now if it weren't for my parents and their guidance. I'm glad they're understanding and open-minded.
Iliana O.
Weslaco High School

It came from my oldest brother. He told me to wait. "Good things will always come to you. If you just wait." he said. For me, I take it as good advice. He always says that life is a test to show how strong you are if you can make it to the other side and take the negativity, hate, and brute nature of people on the way. "Then you be riding'" as my brother puts it.
Jaime G.
Weslaco High School

My parents have always told me to never lie, and that the truth will always set you free. From experience I have learned that lies will only bury you.
Abel R.
Weslaco High School

The one thing my parents say to me is "think twice before doing something"
I think it works and it makes you think about everything that you want to do and if it's even worth it...
Ruby D.
Weslaco High School

The best parental advice I have received is to graduate and I can become anything I want in life. My dad told me to not make the same mistake as he did and drop out of school. If you want to be something stay in school and you can achieve and reach your goal in life.
Javier C.
Weslaco High School

I personally have had a lot of advice come to me in different forms. The advice that means the most to me has come from my parents and is such an easy piece of advice, and I feel it has helped me it is "What next?"  To me this ranges from everything, an average student attending school, crunching all hours of the night trying to get ready for that exam that you need to pass. Young teens going to have a child before they graduate from high school, a drunk driver killing someone for a silly night of fun, having to live with it for the rest of their lives. It goes on and on. This is the reason I like this piece of advice. Because you are always going to ask yourself, "What next?"
Jack H.
Weslaco High School

 I had a lot of parental advice. My family has always been there for me, and pushing me to get good grades in all of my classes. They also want me to have a good future down the road. It's not just that, I also love playing football and track I'm trying real hard to get a scholarship in football. My family is right there behind me giving me a lot of tips, advice, and just pushing me real hard to get it done.
Eric G.
Weslaco High School

My parents, on the whole, are pretty cool. They usually leave me alone and let me do my own thing; if I mess up, then I'm the one that has to clean up the mess. One thing that they have always demanded of me, though, is that I be polite and helpful to others. They say that it's not a good idea to ignore those in need, because someday I myself might need a helping hand. I have always tried to follow that rule, and I think that I've done a pretty good job so far.
Vanessa V.
Weslaco High School

My mom has always told me that life is not fair, and you have to live life to the fullest. I didn't really understand what she meant until my friend died. I was four years old, and I had lost my best friend, it was one of the hardest times I had ever endured. I know four years old is too young to understand about life, but from that moment on, I matured into a young girl. Life may not be fair, but we have to make the most of it to move on with our lives, for a new beginning.
Janet C.
Weslaco High School

The best advice that I have received from my parents was that in order to accomplish my goals I have to work real hard. My parents made me understand that you have to set goals for yourself and work very hard to achieve them. They told me that I have to be very dedicated, and I need to have the will to earn what I want because nothing in this life is given to you.
Isamar L.
Weslaco High School

The parental advice that has help the most is the one my parents told me some time ago and it was, for me to not give up on my dreams and do whatever it takes to do what I believe and what I want. And now that I am about to graduate from High School, that advice is helping me a lot.
Esmeralda Q.
Weslaco High School

The parental advice that has help me the most in every single aspect of my life is my mother's... she has help me to mature and understand lots of facts that this life has! My mom has been my best friend my whole life but especially during the four years that I have been here in high school, thanks to her I am going to graduate and I dedicate my graduation to her!!
Samantha H.
Weslaco High School
 
My mother taught me to never rely on other people to make me happy.
Sarah B.
Weslaco High School

Hmmm, the best parental advice ever given to me was, always wear clean underwear. Whether or not it's an important event, you don't want to smell like a dirty garbage can when you can smell like a clean garbage can.
Cody C.
Weslaco High School

The parental advice that has helped me the most has been the one my parents have always talked to me about and it's that, I must continue in school and at all times focus on school more than anything else. My parents have also advised me to always respect others so that I can have their respect. I always listen to my parents' suggestion about my education. I know that they advise me for the reason that they just wish the best for me. Some good advice is always good, especially if they are from your parents.
Raquel P.
Weslaco High School

My grandmother told me that the most important thing was to put my education first.
She also said that through God anything can be accomplished. By making the correct
choices you can meet your goals, that's what my grandma tells me everyday. My family members were honor students and valedictorians therefore my grandmother always says I have the ability to achieve my goals in life. Thanks to my grandmother for always supporting me, I believe that I can do anything.
Jamie R.
Weslaco High School

 My parents have taught me that life has its ups and downs. Never give up. Be patient. And when I get married with my white dress and the man of my dreams that knows how to respect me he will get the best gift from me and ONLY he will.
Yasmeen M.
Weslaco High School
 
My parents have always given me some good advice, and sometimes their advice gets me mad, but I know they are right. The best advice that they have given me is to work hard to achieve my goals and to always have a close relationship with the people I love. They have always told me that in order for me to be successful, I need to work hard and earn it. They have also said that I need to keep the people I love close because they are always going to be there for me no matter what. This advice has helped me a lot and I know it will continue helping me in my future.
Stephanie A.
Weslaco High School

The best parental advice that I have ever received was from my father. That advice was to stay away from drugs and to always maintain a strong relationship with the people you love. I have always kept this advice in mind. I know that drugs will destroy your life. To have strong relationships with the ones you love is important because your friends and family are what makes you who you are. They are there to support and help you.
Michael H.
Weslaco High School

"You should always try to achieve your dreams Joanna. "That's what my mother has always told me. Never give u on my dreams, and never refuse to achieve what I want. I now realize that is true. Her advice has really helped me achieve acceptance to the university of my preference. Without her advice I wouldn't have been able to achieve my dream.
Joanna A.
Weslaco High School

The best advice that I have received from my parents is that I need to be able to take care of own needs, so when they are not there with me, I will be able to handle living on my own. I will need to be responsible for my own needs, such as money, housing, and everything else that is primarily necessary for a human to live. I would need to be able to handle having a job and studying at the same time. I really appreciate them giving me that advice because I will need it when I have to go to college or live by myself.
Nora M.
Weslaco High School

The greatest parental advice that my parents have given me is keep the Lord in all that you do. That advice has helped me through a lot of things, from schoolwork to personal problems. With my hard work and dedication and His help, I have done well in school. I would have never gotten this far or done this well in my activities such as schoolwork or problems without this advice.
Paula N.
Weslaco High School

My mother has given me plenty of advice as I go through the stages of maturity, but one that I cannot forget is when she told me my freshman year to find a subject that interests me. "Work hard now and party later", was her response when I neglected my homework! If I did not, I would be working at a job that will never take me anywhere successfully. Now, as a senior preparing for college, it is relief not to worry about what type of degree I want to pursue.
Natalie C.
Weslaco High School

The advice best given to me by my parents was to never get in fights or in trouble in school. That's basically what they gave me and I never get in trouble at school.
Oscar C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best parental advice was given to me by my coach he told me to believe in myself and ever since his long speech I have.
Justin F.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My parent's advice is to always believe in myself. Because once I was taking a test I had remembered what my parents had said. And when I had got done with my test they told me that I passed.
Alexis A.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My dad told me that having sex is something that I am suppose to do only when I get married. Because getting a girl pregnant means a child to take care of.
Juan G.  
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advice that has helped me the most was that to do everything that you can do to pass to 9th grade. They are glad that I'm passing all my classes.
Julio T.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advice that has helped me the most would be to be who I want to be, and to try my best in everything that I do. This advice has helped me because at the end of the day, no matter what happens, if something's gone wrong, at least you can say there was nothing you could do about it.
Olivia C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best parental advice that I have gotten is never give up so easily. My dad told me that in about 3rd grade when math began to get hard, but I worked through it and now I'm taking pre-ap math, it paid off
Briana F.
Mary Hoge Middle School

Try your best. That's what my parents would always tell me try your best in everything you do and good things will come to you. And it really does help you. So in everything I do I try my hardest, so that's the best advice I ever got from my parents.
Marcus M.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My parents always tell me to try my best in school. The way it has helped me is not that much cause I just think about what they told me and what did they mean and I kind of stress out until I ask them what they meant
Danielle L.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The advice that my parents have given me that has helped me a lot in life is that you can do anything if you believe in yourself and to do your best. They always told me never give up in what I will do later in life
Anel M.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My parents always tell me to speak up and act like myself. Now I have been talking more and I'm not as shy as I used to be. Now I think my parents gave good advice and I trust them more. I learned from their mistakes.
Brianna G.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advice that has helped me the most is to live life like there is no tomorrow. My dad told me this. It made me realize that life is short and I have to make the best of it.
Dana S.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My daddy told me never let anyone bring you down, and always keep your head up. Valerie G.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advice that helped me through the most would be to try your best at everything you do. It has helped me from everything to athletics to academics.
Miguel C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My Mom Rosario's best advice is not to get pregnant at an early age because I'm not responsible enough to take care of a child. And she keeps reminding me that a lot of Teens get pregnant so I keep that in mind every day and pray to God to lead me through a good path.
Andrea M.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advise that has helped me the most is when my mom would tell me not to hang out with my cousin. She was in trouble all her life with drugs in the streets and always messing around with guys. She was my best cousin so I couldn't leave her but I decided to take my mom's advise and I stopped talking to her and it was worth it because my cousin right now is locked up in jail. If I kept hanging out with her I would have ended up the same way or even worse.
Lydia C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My parents always tell me they will support me in anything I do in life. They've also told me any decisions I make now will affect me in the future .Now that I do anything I think about it first before I do anything wrong.
Stephanie P.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The advice that has helped me the most is when my parents told me to stay away from drugs. They told me that I should never get a candy when it is open. And it has helped me. I never pay attention to weird guys. I just go away.
Narce T.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The parental advice was to do my best on my test and my work and that will help you find out all you question
Kristian D.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The advice that my parents have given me is that to plan my future. It's really helped me because everything I plan I end up doing it.
Jorge R.
Mary Hoge Middle School

Don't try to be someone your not. It has helped me because I never try to be someone I'm not. If you're not careful it might take over and then you might loose your friends, family and maybe even your boyfriend.
Betsy T.
Mary Hoge Middle School

My parents have always told me follow your dreams!! Since they always tell me I always remember. When I don't want to do my work I remember what they say and try to do my best to accomplish my goals and dreams!!!
Norma C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best parental advice my parents could give me is never give up in life after all the problems we have...and to always face my problems and never hide from them...
Faviola C.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best parental advice my parents have given me is to always try my best at everything I do because sooner or later it will help me in life.
Daniela P.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best parental advice I ever had is when my mom told me that if I want something I have to work for it. She says that I'm very Independent, this advice is very important because she believes in me. Since she told me that I want to pass my exams and I want to make new friends so I try hard to get it.
Tiffani M.
Mary Hoge Middle School

The best advice that I have ever received from my parents is not to take my time as a young man for granted. They have told me to take it all in: no bills, no worries, a free car to drive, free gas, and a roof over my head packed with food. These are the things that I will do my best to enjoy as my high school and college years continue.   
Timothy C.
Weslaco High School

My parents told me to be what you wont to be. Be yourself. Be a leader not a follower. This helped me get were I am by not doing what my friends tell me to do. So thank you mom and dad.
Alex M.
Mary Hoge Middle School

Getting advice, "Parental" advice is normal for all kids to get started when they are young. Parents, adults, grandparents, aunts, uncles or any other relative can give a young person parental advice. Sometimes even a friend. Ever since I was little, I've been getting all different types of advice, especially from my parents. My mom would always tell me to never get close to lit candles, don't touch the stove when it's on, or don't play in the street. Blah, blah, blah, still to this day I get advice from my grandma and my mom. They tell me to be careful whom I tell my private things to and that we can't always trust so called friends. Also when I was younger my dad would always tell me to do whatever I know is right and if I'm happy that is all that matters. Another big one that I still get is "don't date any boys until you're older" because dating leads to other things. I just laugh, I'm sure as I get older I will keep getting more and more different types of advice and maybe one day I will be giving parental advice to my own children.
Alanie G.
Vela Middle School

Crossing the street without looking both ways is like going to school without studying. That is the most important thing someone should do before crossing the street unless, they want to end up like a pancake. That's the best parent advice. That's almost what happened to me when I walked all the way to school one day. It happened about two blocks from my house, and it was a two-way road, so there were cars going back and fourth. I was just about eight years old and didn't know a thing. When I was about to walk into a death trap, my friend Michael comes along and saves me from a horrifying death. He told me that walking through the road without looking both ways is bad because someone might get hit. Once I got home from school I told my mom what had happened, man was she furious. She said it was a good thing that Michael was there. Also that looking both ways is good and not looking is bad for all of us. That's why looking both ways is good parental advice even if someone else tells them.
Robert L.
Vela Middle School

Giving parental advice is not always easy because sometimes parents give out the wrong advice, though most of the time it will help a great deal of the time. I remember when my dad gave me advice that will stick with me throughout my life. It was early in the morning and we were driving to school on my first day of 6th grade. My dad knew that I had the jitters because I was jumping in my seat like a rabbit. Right when I was about to get out of the car, he said, "Meagan, it doesn't matter if you get A's or B's. All I want you to do is try and do your best, because I will always be proud of you no matter what."  From that moment, I knew that he was surely proud of me. To this day, I try and do my best on everything I do, because the outcome is always good. I hope that people will take this advice and follow it therefore this has been the best parental advice anyone has given me.
Meagan S.
Vela Middle School

Some of the best advice that I have been given has come from my brother, Rudy. Rudy is always protective of "his baby sister." Every time I see him, he reminds me to stay away from boys. I know for a fact that I don't listen. I grew up with boys, me being the only girl in the family surrounded by four brothers. How can I stay away? Yes, its very good advice. Boys could have gotten me in a bunch of trouble, but it's funny to watch them!  Some of the things they do or say make it hard to listen to him. He is older than me and has experience, but sometimes he gives lame advice that I certainly will not follow! I know that he just wants me to be safe but I am not a little girl anymore and I don't want to die alone.
Christina S.
Vela Middle School

Don't do this don't do that, you'll mess up your life. Aren't those the words everyone hears come out of your parent's mouth?  Sometimes people don't want to hear that or because of something they do. Most people don't have parents that talk to them and tell them the things that are wrong and they end up doing it and sometimes get hurt. Most people hear what comes out of the parent's mouth cause they don't want them to do the wrongs things and mess up their life because they care. My parents tell me to say no when people tell me to do something that's not good for me like drugs, alcohol and cigarettes. Most people get addicted and it's hard for them to stop. Drugs and alcohol can kill a person that's why they tell me cause they don't want me to end up really hurt or maybe even dead. They tell me if I drink too much I will end up getting drunk and I can end up in an accident, or if I do drugs and I overdose something bad will happen. They also tell me don't smoke cause it can mess up my lungs and I won't be able to breath the same way, and my teeth will look all nasty and black with yellow ewe. Who wants teeth like that?  I had a good example of why not to smoke. My grandpa almost died like three times cause his lungs weren't working well. We would take him in and out of the hospital that was really sad for us. I don't want that to happen to anyone else so I'm telling everyone don't do drugs.
Melanie M
Vela Middle School

Thinking about advice, I've been given advice from so many people. The advice I've been given was to look both ways when someone is going to cross the street, don't smoke, stay in school; don't put your fingers in the sockets, and etc. Out of all the advice I've been given that I will never forget is not to do drugs. The first time someone told me not to do drugs was back in Lamar, that is my elementary school but I can't really remember the grade. My teacher was talking about being drug free. Everyone would have drug free ribbons. I would walk proud at school because I had a drug free ribbon pined on my shirt. Our teacher told the whole class that we were going to have a surprise visitor from someone the next day. I was all excited, and I couldn't wait till the surprise visitor would come in. When we got back from lunch the next day the visitor was waiting for us, the surprise visitor was a cop. He told the whole class that drugs are not good for you. He was talking about the kinds of drugs that are out there, in the world, and what they would do to you if you take them. Then he was asked the class how many people have done drugs. No one raised his or her hands. Then he came up to me and asked me if I have done drugs and not to lie to him. He said that he didn't come to visit us and punish us he came to help us out. I told him the truth and said that I haven't done drugs. Then he asked me if I was in sports. I said that I was in Little League Football. He told me if I was good at it and I told him I was very good. Then he said that if I ever take drugs that the drugs would affect my performance and I wouldn't be as good as I was before. After he told me that I did not forget those exact words that he told me that same day. Even today I haven't forgotten the inspiring advice he, the cop told me that day.
Nemo V.
Vela Middle School

My Parents have given me plenty of advice but the piece of advice that stuck on me the most is the advice my mother gave me about love. She told me that love doesn't develop overnight it slowly yet gradually builds up into one of the most magnificent feelings a person can ever experience but she also warned me about the repercussions of the wondrous feeling as well. Over the years I found out that love as people say has two faces, on its first face everyone is high and mighty everyone cares about each other it's a place of beauty and joy, but on the other face it's the darkest cave the dullest rock the gloomiest feeling it's a place of torn, helpless, the deceived, it's a never ending heartache I tell you it's not a place I'd like to be. People have to learn to trust and rely on their partner in order to have a strong, loving, and enjoyable relationship.
Jose T.
Vela Middle School

Likely most parents they want to protect their children. So they give their children some parental advice. The best parental advice my father told me was not to end up with an awful life such as being a gang member, doing drugs and having sex at a young age. My father told me that if I had a good career and was proud of what I was doing that I would have a better life than a gang member. When my dad sat next to me we began a "man to man" talk. The first thing he said was " Son have you ever done or had drugs?" I replied to him "no dad I haven't."  So my dad was telling me that drugs could be bad. The next thing he asked me was "Son have you ever had sex?" I replied to him with a "no dad I haven't." My dad explained to me how sex could mess up my life. The last thing he told me was "son if you want to grow up and have the best life anyone can possibly have then don't join a gang." This is my "best parental advice" any parent could have ever given me. So now I'm obeying this advice and not getting into much trouble.
Samuel S.
Vela Middle School

Thinking of some parental advice I would give my kids, first of all I would make sure to tell them not to smoke crack! I would also tell them to do what he or she thinks is right but have to deal with the out come of what he or she did. Even under peer pressure to do what his father would do I wouldn't do the drugs but I would have a drink or two maybe three. I would also make sure to tell him or her not to be playing in the high way but to play in a normal street because it's fun and it help you with your dodging skills. Also to let him or her know that parent's give advice on things to do and because we don't want him or her to make the same mistakes we did, also to not to take anything from anybody or speak to strangers.
Jacob G.
Vela Middle School

Being given advice is always helpful the best parental advice that has been given to me is not to care what other people think of me. My mom told me once that if something nice isn't going to come out of someone's mouth, not to worry about it. If I know it's not true then what they said doesn't matter. People are always going to make up rumors about another person, for whatever reason the rumor was I learned to block it out and concentrate on something more important. The little things that people say are just distractions from the thing that really matters like school, family, and friends. So don't let rumors get to you because more than likely what they said wasn't even true. As long as I know right from wrong then there isn't a problem.
Bianca O.
Vela Middle School

Getting advice can sometimes be embarrassing, but sometimes extremely helpful and encouraging. The best parental advice I've ever gotten was from my older brother, Chris. Being a very caring brother for once, he told me to always be careful with whom I hang out. He told me that later in high school, kids are going to want me to do things that could get me in trouble and change the path I'm on. Chris also stated that I should always stick with what I believed no matter what other people say, overall I'm pretty sure he's trying to say that I shouldn't hang out with the "wrong" crowd. He said they would guide me down the wrong path and I couldn't afford any of that. Chris told me that even some of his friends whom he started hanging out with, those kind of people made him not care about school, family or themselves. I guess my brother just doesn't want to see his baby sister skipping class or spray painting walls. I catch his drift. Astonishingly, this has been the best advice I've received so far, even better than my mom's SHHH!
Amber G.
Vela Middle School

Have you ever gotten advice from somebody? Do you ever use it on a regular day? Well I do and it's if I don't have anything nice to say at all then I shouldn't say anything at all. The first time that my parents told me that was when they took me to a party with them and I started to act rude to people. After I did that they took me to the car and started to lecture me about how to start behaving or we were going back home. Right before they were going to finish telling me this they told me something that I won't forget. "Son, if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all" said my parents. When we got back home later on they told me to remember the last thing that they told me so I wouldn't get in trouble for being rude again. Even up to this day I still use that saying that they told me to use. So in conclusion, this is one of the best parental advices that I've ever gotten from my parents.
Joshua G.
Vela Middle School

"If somebody has an education, their life will be easy." My father proudly told me while he was looking at my straight A report card. Ever since I saw that glow in my father's eyes when he saw my report card I was determined to sky rocket in my academic skills. After a few years of hard work and dedication I realized that information my father told me was most likely the greatest advice I will ever receive because I've been recognized for my accomplishments and received trophies and medals for listening to my father. Every time I received a medal or trophy I'm still glad I took my father's advice and got an education because the feeling of being awarded is extraordinary. Recently, my math counts team placed in our last competition and we're going to Austin for a State competition all because I listened to my knowledgeable father and got a great education.
Amber R.
Vela Middle School

"Respect others the way you want to be treated back," my mom gave me that advice and it has stuck with me since she told me that. Once I was mistreating my friend and she would treat me the same way. I didn't like it when she would ignore me so my mom sat me down and told me the reason she was treating me that way was because I was mean to her. Well, the next day I went up to her and told her I was sorry for all the mean things I did. Since then we are best friends. Everyday since then we would sing, tells each other jokes, laugh, and play games. Now we still talk not as much though. This advice I told my sisters because they would mistreat me as well, I sat them down and told them what my mom told me.
Stephanie A.
Vela Middle School

One of the best parental advices I have gotten was from my mom. It is don't let people try to bring you down which means that if you were having a bad hair day and people were making fun of you just ignore them and don't talk to them. That advice has always stuck to me like molasses, and because I know how to do that I think I am able to handle anything even when my brother is being mean to me, I just ignore him and move on with my life. If I didn't know how to do that then I would always be made fun of because people know I wouldn't do anything and I am so glad my mom gave me that advice.
Caroline H.
Vela Middle School

Growing up my parents always told me to never do drugs, because I could really ruin my life. Once people do it they want to do it again, and before they know it they are going to be ADDICTED! They are going to be doing stuff that they won't even know that they're doing such as stealing, murder, and suicide. All these things can cause PRISON! All those goals and careers they wanted to have would all just go down the drain. Drugs are just completely worthless, all they do is make people do dumb stuff that they will regret later on in life. There are only fourteen percent of people that actually try to change and go to rehab and stay away from them. The other eighty -six percent are the people that just don't care and keep doing it and ruin their chances of having a good career, family, and don't get the dreams they always wanted. Don't be like one of those.
Ashley G.
Vela Middle School

Thinking of what my parents told me, I was proud. My parents always told me to stand up for myself, but to not start the fights. Amanda was one of my best friends in 2nd grade, but then in 5th grade she thought it would be fun to pick on me. She would never try to pick on me while were alone, only when there was a teacher to protect her. Amanda liked verbal abuse much better than actual fighting. My belief is that she knew I would win. But one day she got the courage to pinch me when we were at the playground. So I went berserk, I punched her, grabbed her arm, twisted it, and then I broke it. I fortunately didn't get into trouble because she started the fight. So she got a broken arm and a referral and I got praise. My parents were full of pride to know that I wasn't allowing myself to be physically abused by a bully.
Jazmin G.
Vela Middle School

Mostly my mom and dad give me good advice unless they are really mad at me. They have told me to not ever to do drugs because it messes up your lungs, could get really sick, could go to jail if someone does it, and someone could die. If you did drugs it will mess up your life forever and it can become addicted, if someone does to much of it you have a chance of over dosing that's what every one says. They also said if someone does drugs at a young age that is really bad because someone has a chance of passing away and you only have one life so don't mess it up. My mom and dad give me the best advice all the time.
Albert R.
Vela Middle School

Vela Middle School The best advice my parents have ever given me would be don't do drugs because it will get you in to trouble such as jail. So I didn't listen to them and I brought drugs to school one day and I ended up going to boot camp and I pretty much learned my lesson. Even after that I kept on getting into trouble I'm not saying what I got caught with but it was really bad but. Soon after I realized that getting into so much trouble again could get me back into boot camp and trust me that was something I definitely didn't want to get myself back into. That's when I stopped getting myself into trouble at school and started to focus on my work and my life has experienced a complete turn around and from that day on I promised myself that I was going to completely take all of my parents advice and use it.
Saul G.
Vela Middle School

The best advice my parent has given to me is when I was mad I was going through things that happened after school. What had happen was that I was with my friends after school and they were forcing me to smoke so I ended up smoking with them. So on the way home I had told my mom about what happened after school and when I told them they were mad at me so they told me that I needed to stop hanging out with people that are going to get me into trouble. They told me to go up to my room and think about what I did, the next day right after school my friends had asked me if I wanted to go with them but I said no thanks so I walked away thanks to the talk I had with my parents.
Christopher A.
Vela Middle School

The best advice my mom has ever given me is never to give up on the things that make you smile and laugh. I never really knew why that was so important, until recently when my friend and I got into an argument. It was my best friend Kassie. I was so tired of fighting with her, and telling her mean things I didn't mean, so I told her I didn't want to fight anymore. I think she took it the wrong way and she told me she didn't want be my friend anymore, I told her fine be like that but I didn't mean it. She was my best friend and I just lost her because of a stupid argument, after that I explained to her what I meant and she slowly forgave me, now we are friends again.
April E.
Vela Middle School

"Don't hang around with the wrong people, I know what I am talking about" my mom repeated this to me occasionally except I never really paid any attention to it. She would always complain about hanging around with the wrong people, that they could change you. I didn't ever realize that just hanging around with a certain group you start being like them until now. My mom is always nagging saying, "Do you want to end up like your cousins?" She recently started to say that because my cousin started to hang around with the bad influential people. All that ended up putting her in boot camp, community service, and have a bad record. She did all that just because she wanted to fit in with them. So now I look back and realize my mom was right and I'm glad I paid attention to her sooner. That's the best parental advice my mom has given to me.
Alexandrea P.
Vela Middle School

Getting advice from a family member or maybe even a close friend and sometimes teachers can give sound advice to many people. Everyone should take the advice that they give to each other but don't fall for the bad advice that they'll give because if they really care for that person they wouldn't be telling them to be doing bad things. We should pay close attention to what they say to that person. That person should take the advice seriously because not just anyone's going to give you advice to do the right thing. The advice you should take is, be careful when you cross the street or stay out of trouble. Advice like that, you should listen to, not the bad advice.
Chuck C.
Vela Middle School

My parents sometimes give me advice, but my grandparents give me advice as well. When I go ride my bike my grandpa always says, "Look both ways before crossing the street, and look out for dogs and cars." My grandma is like that too, but she hardly lets me out of the house that often. That is a rule or a suggestion, to look both ways before crossing the street my little sister and I had to learn it the hard way. I was going super fast on my bike and right when I saw the van my grandpa's voice came in my head "look out for the cars." I tried too break and by an inch, the van hit my back tire and I hit the pavement, luckily I only got a few scratches but my little sister went through the same thing. The van hit her front tire she's okay but she learned her lesson, listen to your parents, and look both ways before crossing.
Robert G.
Vela Middle School

Thinking about the best advice my parents ever gave I decided to go with the advice they gave me last year. The advice they gave me was that I had to try my best to stay out of trouble, well of course I thought that it was going to be easy but once I got to school, I started messing around in class and stopped caring about my grades. I would always talk and make up joke everyday. But when I got home I would just be calm and never did anything wrong. It's like if I'm with my friends I'm a troublemaker and when I'm home I'm always calm. So after I thought about it for a couple of hours, I decided to try my best to stay calm in school. When school started I was so calm, my friends got all freaked because I was the worst of them all. So now I'm calm and just don't play around as much as before, thanks to my parents advice, I don't get in trouble as much as before.
Adrian V.
Vela Middle School

Using almost all of the advice my dad ever gave me throughout my life, the best one would probably be " To close the mitt" during my first baseball season. This advice helped me during that whole season, before the season had started I couldn't catch at all. I couldn't catch the ball for at least two weeks into the season until my dad told me, "Make sure the ball is in the mitt and close the mitt tightly," after that advice I was able to catch the ball very well, and it was a good thing to. After going 10-2 my team was in the finals. The team was tough, we were up 5-4, having them tying to run on third and the "Big Slugger" at bat. He hit it deep to the right field, he's out but the runner tags up, the fielder throws it to me, "He's Out" That year we got first because of the awesome throw and the beautiful catch I had made.
Kenneth A.
Vela Middle School

The best advice my parents have given me is to always tell the truth. My father often tells me to make sure when I have done something wrong to always tell him the truth and the whole story. He tells me it is better not lie, because that will get me into more trouble, but to tell the truth right from the start. When I lie to cover up what I have done all it does is cause more trouble for me. I know it is much better to always tell the truth.
Greg S.
Vela Middle School

The best advice my parents have given me is to be myself. They gave me this advice when I was fist going to start middle school. They said to be myself since it is easier than trying to be someone I'm not. My mom said that people would learn to like me for who I am. Both of them advised me not to start acting fake or phony because I would eventually end up falling in with the wrong crowd. They also mentioned that if I were to act fake I wouldn't like myself later or any of the people I was hanging around with. I took their advice and was myself and I found friends who like me for who I really am. If I would have acted fake I would have people who I thought were my friends and I could have ended getting into trouble. I'm very glad I took her advice because if I hadn't I could have ended up regretting the choice of acting fake later. So basically they told me just be myself and I would find my own true friends and stay out of trouble. Even today I still use this valuable advice.
Abigail A.
Veal Middle School

"Don't listen to people that tell you that your not good enough to do something." My dad would always tell me that when I felt like giving up or quitting. That has to be the best advice anyone has ever given me. Just those fifteen words helped me accomplish so many things. Even today when I compete in sports, I use that saying. If someone tells me they don't think I can do something or I don't believe in me, it only makes me work harder on it to prove them wrong. Both my parents always expected me to do my best and I'm happy if I know I did. That saying might be the reason why I'm so competitive. I love when people tell me I'm good at something, but sometimes I need some one to push me to do better. For that I thank my parents because without them I wouldn't be what I am today.
Vanessa C.
Vela Middle School

Parents often give their kids advice even when they don't ask for advice. They're always saying don't do that and don't do this, but sometimes we just don't listen. The kids just don't know it's for their own good what parents tell them. When parents tell you to stay close by, there is a reason for that, I have personally experienced that before. We had gone up to San Antonio to go to Sea World, it was a beautiful day the sun was out and the clouds were there to give a little bit of shade. We were riding all the rides, my brother and I would run off to the rides my mom would get mad at us for running off. She told us to stay close by and don't talk to strangers. My brother and I just got off the ride and we had walked by a gift shop, so we decided to go check it out, we had seen all kinds of things in there and we wanted to buy something so we went back outside to find my mom. We started to get worried, we were looking everywhere we went back to the gift shop and had realized our mom was in there looking for us. She was so mad at us, she told us to stay nearby and we didn't after that scary incident, we never left our mom's sight.
Samantha V.
Vela Middle School

Having our parents lecture us is something we wish we could all avoid, in my case there's nothing to avoid. I don't usually get lectures about how our parents want what's best for us, but I already know how and when and that they make there point clear. The most important thing they have ever told me to do is to be myself. "You'll never get anywhere in life if everyone thinks your something your not, you'll be living a lie." They used to say. Kind of confusing, but I knew exactly what they meant. Why pretend to be someone I'm not and end up making fake friends when I can be myself and make true friends. Why dress myself the complete opposite of my personality and have people think I am what I'm not? Sure there are a lot of people that can be judgmental, but if you think about it, we're all humans. I thank my parents for helping me be the person I am today.
Ruby R.
Vela Middle School

Getting older I've learned all kinds of things. My parents always gave me advice while growing up. The best parental advice my parents ever gave me was when they told me to treat people how I wanted to be treated. I've learned over the years that the way a person treats me depends on how I treat them. If I'm always real nice to a person, then they will respect that and treat me the same. On the other hand if I treat a person real bad all the time and show them no respect at all they won't like me and treat me the same bad way I treated them. I have tested this advice everyday of my life and it really is true.
Kayla L.
Vela Middle School

My mom's advice is for me is not to do drugs, for kids not to be stuck up and they have to go to school, if not they're going to be kicked out of the house? I don't want them sitting there on my couch if they are not going to be doing anything, they can't be walking in the street late at night. My mom has a bunch of advice I think it's to keep her children from harm. When I grow up and have kids even though I don't want any I will tell them the same thing. If I don't have any I will pass it on to my little nephews and cousins, so I think my mom has the best parental advice.
Bianca H.
Vela Middle School

"Zooming" around the block while I was ridding my bike, I saw a frog in the middle of the road. But of course I had to go look, then poke at it with a stick. So I just turned my bike around and stopped in the middle of the road, but when I stopped the frog jumped and kept on going farther and farther away. Just when I was about to give up and go home, I turned my bike. Suddenly a car screeched on it brakes. My mom had seen me and immediately ran to me and told me, "Why were you on the road?" "You could have gotten hurt." Then she gave me an enormous lecture. Never go on the road with out me watching you or your father ever again. On top of that always look both ways when you cross the road, okay mommy I said.
Bianca R.
Vela Middle School

The greatest and most useful parental advice I've ever gotten was given to me by my mother is to always keep and treasure my friendships. That advice has gone a long way for me throughout my life, too. My mom is always giving me helpful advice. I usually think about the advice she gives me when I'm in a sticky situation with my friends. For example when my friends and I are experiencing issues, I think about the parental advice I've been given. My friends and I end up working together talking our issues out and solving our problem. There's proof of the great advice working and I'm thankful for it.
Monica B.
Vela Middle School

Thinking back on all the advice I've ever been giving. My thoughts always trail back to the one my grandparents and parents gave me. As kids we always want to give up on difficult things like cleaning our room, school, and giving the dog a bath. I was no exception to this, my family noticed this and told me to never give up on things. That we can't beg for things, we have to do them ourselves or we won't gain anything in the end. It is true always giving up on things was not very much fun, like trying to play an instrument, if we just give up in the end when we are so close. We would not gain anything form the experience. Yet if we keep on going we could learn something and in the end make something out of it. People and the government can take money, fame, and riches away, but not knowledge.
Emily P.
Vela Middle School

The best advice I could think of is always trying my best, when I was ten years old I wanted to play softball. The entire girls team had more then two years of experience, but still my mom decided to sign me up. As we started the season they didn't want to play me so my mom had a talk with me and said " Athletes need to give it there all and try there best." That same day I went to practice I did just what my mother had said to do. After practice the coach went up to me and told me, "You are starting off the next day for the game." As I got home I ran into my parent's room and shouted I'm starting the game off the next day. My mom ran up to me and gave me a huge hug. Ever since then I gave it my all at everything I do. This season was finishing, so we had closing ceremonies they were giving trophies for the all star players I was the first to get one.
Daisy C.
Vela Middle School

The best parental advice I got was from my dad. He told me not to mess with some old speakers we had from our computer. I wanted to hear something from a game on the computer so I wanted to try plugging in the speakers. So then I plugged them in but it was far away from the socket so I had to put the speakers on the floor. I went to the restroom real quick and when I came back I could smell the burn, I checked if it was my cousin's Celina hair straightner, but it wasn't. So I checked the plug from the speakers and it was the plug that smelled like it was burning. So I unplugged it and it felt hot, I was looking at the cord and it had a loose wire, so then I put it back were I found it and told my dad. He gave me a stare like if it meant, " I told you so" so he warned me not to mess with it again.
Teddy J.
Vela Middle School

One thing my parents told me never to do is put my hands on a power cord. I listened for a little while but when I got older I had to try it. I was scared at first to do it, and then my brother encouraged me to do it some more. So I did it I put my smallest finger in the hole and then I got shocked so bad that my hair was standing up. Then my mom and dad came home, I was so scared that I started to cry, and then they told me never to do that again because I could've died that day and never would have been able to grow up and live my life the way I wanted to live it. So I learned my lesson to never do that again plus it hurts really bad to get shocked.
Joey Q.
Vela Middle School

"Get tough" was the advice I got a few days ago. When my mom told me those words, I kind of thought she wasn't talking about my muscle strength. She was talking about how I should be able to speak up and be able to take in advice without wanting to cry. Mostly, I am the type of person that wants to cry when people talk to me in a gentle voice when I mess up. Some people know me as a shy person and I sometimes don't speak my mind. My mom completely inspired me. I wanted to change myself from head to toe so I can know I made my life easier. Getting tough doesn't necessarily mean to go work out when I figured that out, internally it struck me as quickly as a deer getting hit by an Eighteen Wheeler. I needed to make up my mind of taking things in brick strong, to this day I am working on it.
Amanda A.
Vela Middle School

Using manners like please and thank you makes me a better person. Manners are the best advice my parents have taught me they said it will help me later in life. It's better to be polite than mean, by using manners it will increase my chances in everything I do. Adults don't enjoy a kid who can't eat properly or is rude, burping continually is very rude while eating and also talking with your mouth full of food is very disrespectful. My parents suggested that I use proper manners also on Christmas when I receive a gift I use thank you after every gift I get. Listening to this parental advice will get me very far in life.
Carlos P.
Vela Middle School

Thinking back on all the advice people have given me I would have to say that the best advice would be "Do not judge a book by its cover." My grandmother gave me this advice when I was younger and I have used it every day since because not every thing is what it appears to be. Sometime people judge people without getting to know them and they do not realize that person might be a really great person. People never know how kind a person can be without talking to them, they have to learn to give everyone a chance. It's like a car try it before buying it someone can look extremely hideous but still have an awesome personality and they could be a great person to talk to also. It's like saying a really good-looking person could have an ugly personality, which would make them ugly in a sense of their personality.
Laura C.
Vela Middle School

Looking both ways while crossing the street to me is like brushing your teeth in the morning, it is automatic. My parents would always tell me, "Make sure you look both ways when you are crossing the street." Every time I would go to the park with my siblings since I am the oldest, I always hold my little brother's hand when we are about to cross the street so he doesn't just run off. Now I realize that this was the best advice they could ever give me. When I am in the car with my mom she always drives slowly because in the past she once had to slam on the breaks because a little kid just ran across the street without looking. This advice doesn't just tell kids to look out for cars it teaches kids to look both ways on the street and in life.
Catalina L.
Vela Middle School

Thinking of the best parental advice is not hard to think of. I mean there is look both ways before crossing the street, don't run after a ball if it does roll into a street, don't talk to strangers and a lot more. One of my favorite and funniest advice comments is don't eat yellow snow. Ha ha, that one is the best although that has not happened to me. I bet there have been a few kids in the world that have done it and really didn't like it. Although I understand why some kids would try and eat it. I mean hey if the kid has ever had a Raspa or (snow cone) like lemon or something I would probably get the idea also. Now I'll say it now I have not and will not ever eat a yellow snow cone because you don't know what is in it especially if your friends offer you one.
Alex C.
Vela Middle School

The most interesting advice I have been given was from my mom. She says, "Giving advice is hard, but it helps in the long run." That specific advice is about boys. She mostly says not to get too carried away with them. For instance, if a girl likes a guy, try not to follow them around like a puppy dog. They need to come to you. My mom says, "No one wants a guy that will go out with someone for a couple of weeks, then go out with someone's best friend." We do not want to waste time on a guy like that. Once I became so carried away with a certain guy, then later on in the year he found out that I liked him. He and his friends made it seem that he liked me too. One afternoon my friends and I were outside of school and he came up to me and told me to leave him alone because he had a girlfriend. He had said it in a mean tone and then left with his friends. That hurt my feelings because he was very rude and I did not deserve that treatment. Now, I am careful with the guys I choose to like and try not to make the same mistake I did before. Like my mom says, "Don't get too serious with a guy that I hardly know." Overall, that has been the best advice I have received from my mom.
Cassandra B.
Vela Middle School

There are many things that people are telling me like not to hang out with the wrong crowd, don't do drugs and don't point my fingers. Last year in the 7th grade, with one of my good friends Maria, we were in Math class and it was a free day and she had a safety pin and there was a socket for the plugs. I licked the pin and stuck it in the socket and it popped, smoke started to come out and me and my friend Maria flew back to the floor. My hair started to stick up, after all of that was done, my hand started to become numb and I could not feel my arm. After that, Maria had a hard time breathing after the accident. I will never do that again.
Celina A.
Vela Middle School

One time we went to my Grandpa's house and he told me something I will never forget. It was a Monday when we left from our house, we lived in Houston and my grandpa lived in McAllen. We had to drive all the way from Houston to McAllen. I was not happy because we had to drive five to six hours from Houston. When we got there he welcomed us with a cake and some cookies. Then when we were going to go back he told me that when I grow up I would have to buy a car. He told me that when somebody drives a car he has to go to the speed limit. I asked him how are we suppose to know what the speed limit was, back then I was eight years old, then he told me that when somebody drives on a freeway or on a street there's always a sign that tells him at what speed he has to drive. One day my dad had to go on business and I told him that he had to read the signs. When he came back he told me that I had saved his life because when he was on the freeway a car in front of him stopped, he stopped too but he barely escaped from an accident.
Abraham G.
Vela Middle School

Hearing the best parental advice that was told from my dad was not to hang out with people that are troublemakers. My dad told me this advice when I started middle school. He told me this because he saw other kids hanging around with these "troublemakers". He told me about one kid that he saw in the office one time. He saw three kids arguing and this innocent kid got in trouble for hanging with those people, which was pretty sad because he didn't deserve that harsh punishment. So one day, towards the end of the first quarter, my dad asked me about my friends. I replied that there were friendly and educated. He looked relieved for hearing that. I kept my promise and watched out whom to hang with and talk with. I didn't believe it until I saw it happen in 7th grade. I told myself, I'm glad I paid attention to my dad. Who do you hang with? Are they gang related or real friends? Tell people that are suffering because of their friends. It's better to save an innocent soul than suffering the consequences.
John R.
Vela Middle School

Getting advice from my parents who have always been there for me and even though I have not done so well they always stayed by my side no matter what. I really can't say that my parents never gave me advice because I live with my mom because my parents are a divorced couple. I never listened to either one of them and they told me not to hang out with the wrong crowd, the ones that do drugs and the ones that are in gangs. I always did what I wanted to do and it was like they told me to go ahead and do it because I never wanted to listen to them. They wanted me to hang out with people who always do their work and it was like me hanging out with nerds. Then I still would hang out with the wrong and then one day I got into deep trouble with the cops and then I realized that they were right the whole time. They always told me to tell the truth and not to lie to my elders because they are the ones to respect. So then I changed and I listened to all my elders and I don't disrespect them like I used to. Now when they tell me, I know what it means that way I will not get in trouble any more. If I do, I am going to go to boot camp and then my parents would tell me to stay in school and not to drop out if you want to have a good job or something. When I was little, I would never listen to them. I was like six years old and I would never listen to them. My brother and I would always do the same things even though he is four years older than me. My brother and I would throw rocks at the windows. One time my brother broke a window and they called the cops on him and he finally learned his lesson. The cops acted like they were going to take him to jail to scare him. When I have kids, I will tell them not to talk to strangers and never take candy from strangers because they might put drugs or something else in them. I will also tell them to look both ways before crossing the street because they could get run over. I will also tell them to keep their hands to themselves and that they do not get into trouble at school or with the cops. Then I would tell my kids not to get into fights because if they do they can go to boot camp and they can get into a lot of trouble. I know that they would not like it there because they yell at you a lot at the secondary alternative center here in Harlingen.
Jackie R.
Vela Middle School

The advice that my parents have given me that has helped me the most is, "Don't grow up too fast". The reason why it has helped me is because after years of not knowing what they meant, I finally understand where they are coming from. I remember thinking "Yeah right! I want to be a teenager already!" whenever they would tell me not to grow up too fast. But now that I am a teenager, I am facing all of the hardships that come with being one: puppy love, grades, homework, respecting the teachers, and following all of the school rules. Everyday, now, I look back and reminisce on the days when I could be carefree and run around and play all day. I guess I got my wish and now I'm a teenager just like I wanted. I know that there is a lot more stress heading my way and I am not looking forward to it. So now that I understand why my parents would tell me that, I am going to make the rest of my life fun so that way when I am an adult, I can remember my childhood as a very exciting experience and I am going to make sure I don't grow up any faster than I already have.
Eleni H.
Vernon Middle School
                          
The most helpful advice that I have gotten from my parents would have to be when they tell me to always be myself and never pretend to act like something I'm not. Their famous saying, " Don't be a follower; be a leader".  They tell me that acting just shows people I'm nothing but a fake and makes you look stupid. Being myself has gotten me to know a lot of cool people and for people to know that I'm a cool person too. Knowing that I'm not lying about who I am makes me feel good inside. Throughout my school year I've had really good friendships. So being yourself comes with many rewards. 
Octavia C.
Vernon Middle School

The greatest advice my parents have always given me was to do what I think is the right thing to do. Ever sinc