Mom Confidential

13 Things She Wants You to Know...but Might Not Be Telling You.

- Laura Greenback

Sure, Mom is an open book when it comes to opining on your latest hair style or teaching you how to pick out a perfectly ripe avocado. But there are plenty of other thoughts swirling around in her head she may not be so open about. Maybe she’s worried you’ll take things the wrong way, or maybe she’s scared to share the truth with you. Whatever the reason, we’re betting she empathizes with you way more than you know. This Mother’s Day, we got moms to dish on what they’re really thinking when it comes to their daughters. Check out these closely guarded secrets—and you just might see more eye to eye with your madre.

I WAS BOY CRAZY, TOO.

“I used to crush on the cute jocks and cared way too much about getting popular guys to like me. Now I know I should’ve been thinking about whether I actually liked them. I wish I could go back and tell myself it’s way better to find a guy who makes you laugh.”

—Leanne C., mom of Logan, 14, and Madeline, 16, of Minneapolis

I’M NOT PERFECT.

“Sometimes I get upset with my daughter because of my own personal insecurities. She thinks I’m being unreasonable, but I just want to protect her from repeating the mistakes I made at her age.”

—Jessica S., mom of Hayden, 15, of Dallas

I’M NOT IN LOVE WITH MY BODY, EITHER.

“Most moms know it’s not good for our girls to hear us make negative comments about our bodies. But keeping a healthy body image can be hard for us, too. I totally get the fat talk. I’ve been there.”