A New Study Reveals 26 is the Age Brits Finally Admit Mother Knows Best

A new study commissioned by the Post Office has looked at the advice passed from mothers to their siblings, and it’s official, mothers do know best. However, it takes Brits until the age of 26 to realise.

Everyone knows a younger person that thinks they know it all, and often when someone older and more experienced tries to pass on some helpful advice, it often feels like they are talking to a brick wall!

However, there is a reason for this, as research shows that, on average, the human brain doesn’t fully develop until age 25, which does explain a lot! This will likely shock some younger readers; however, we are sure it will offer some satisfaction to the more mature reading this.

The Post Office wanted to look at this in more detail and commissioned researchers to poll the nation to discover the moment when it finally dawns on us that our mums and the important women in our lives actually DID know what they were talking about. The poll results revealed more than a third (38 per cent) of those taking part said they wished they had listened to the advice offered to them.

The Post Office Study data
The Post Office study reveals that 26 years old is the age when we finally admit that mums really do know best with; “treat people as you’d like to be treated yourself” (42 per cent), “family comes first” (35 per cent), “life isn’t fair sometimes” (35 per cent) and “if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all” (34 per cent) being some of the most significant pearls of wisdom we wish we had taken on board.

“A little kindness goes a long way” (34 per cent), “work hard” (33 per cent), “know when to say sorry” (31 per cent), “look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves” (31 per cent) and “don’t mix your whites, and your darks in the wash” (27 per cent) also made the top pieces of motherly advice.

Mum’s health titbits such as “everything in moderation” (23 per cent), “always eat your greens” (22 per cent), “always use sunscreen” (17 per cent), “keep hydrated” (17 per cent) and “don’t mix your drinks” (16 per cent), remain in Brits heads, as does relationship advice like “never go to bed on an argument” (25 per cent), “don’t live in the past” (20 per cent) and” never a lender or a borrower be” (17 per cent).

The survey by Post Office revealed that four in ten (46 per cent) admit to ignoring the advice their mum gave when they were growing up, only to look back now and agree that it was actually sensible.

A fifth (20 per cent) admit that they’ve turned into their mum as you’ve got older, with 31 being the age when we start to sound like them.

Over half (57 per cent) say they only REALLY appreciated how incredible their mum is when they had kids themselves.

Four in ten (42 per cent) admit that their mum is their hero, with three-quarters (76 per cent) making a special effort to visit them on Mother’s Day.

Of those that won’t be seeing their mothers (26 per cent), two-thirds (62 per cent) admit that they will miss them. Two-thirds (64 per cent) are planning to send them a card to show they care, with a further 48 per cent popping a present in the post.

Living too far away (52 per cent), not tending to see each other on Mother’s Day (19 per cent) and having different plans for the day (nine per cent) are the main reasons for being apart.

Laura Joseph, Post Office Customer Experience, said, “It’s great to see how much our mums and the special women in our lives mean to us – even though we probably should have listened to them more.

“Thankfully, it’s easier than ever to pop into one of our branches and send a card or a gift to your mum to let them know exactly how much they mean to you. Our dedicated Postmasters are on hand in the branch to ensure gifts and cards find their way to mums across the UK.”

According to the data, four in ten (41 per cent) say that their mum is their best friend, talking to them an average of eight times a week.

Four in ten (39 per cent) share their mother’s sense of humour, with a further 39 per cent sharing their attitude and views on life (35 per cent).

One in three (33 per cent) have the same taste in food, while a quarter (22 per cent) have adopted the same parenting style.

A sixth (15 per cent) admit to having the same political views as their mum.

Brits yet to send off gifts and cards have until Friday, 17th March, to make the most of Royal Mail Special Delivery to ensure their gifts and cards arrive in time for Mother’s Day with full tracking and compensation up to £500.

The thirty things Mothers knew best about

1. Treat people as you’d like to be treated yourself: 42%
2. Family comes first: 35%
3. Life isn’t fair sometimes: 35%
4. If you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all: 34%
5. A little kindness goes a long way: 34%
6. Work hard: 33%
7. Know when to say sorry: 31%
8. Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves: 31%
9. Don’t mix your whites and darks in the wash: 27%
10. Never got to bed on an argument: 25%
11. Don’t wash your dirty linen in public: 24%
12. A tidy house is a tidy mind: 24%
13. Remember your Ps and Qs: 24%
14. Everything in moderation: 23%
15. Always get your greens: 22%
16. Don’t live in the past: 21%
17. Don’t put your coat on until you get outside, or you won’t feel the benefit: 21%
18. Don’t burn your bridges: 20%
19. Always make your bed: 20%
20. Always send a thank you note after receiving a present: 19%
21. Smile and the world smiles with you: 18%
22. Always wear sunscreen: 17%
23. Early to bed, early to rise: 17%
24. Keep hydrated: 17%
25. Never a lender or borrower be: 17%
26. Try to get eight hours of sleep every night: 17%
27. Don’t mix your drinks: 16%
28. Always wear a hat in the sun: 13%
29. Get your five a day: 13%
30. Don’t sweat the small stuff: 12%

Research of 2,000 UK-based adults commissioned by the Post Office and conducted by Perspectus Global in March 2023.

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