I was born and raised on the West Coast, but have been a southerner for ten years now. For the last four years, I’ve been a southern mama. While all moms have many things in common, there are some things that only moms who live in the south can understand. Whether you’re a native southerner or a transplant learning to adjust to the southern lifestyle, these are the signs that you’re most definitely a southern mama.
1. You Dress Your Children In Layers
One day it can be 80 degrees, and the next it can be sweater weather. Even though there are defined seasons in the south, the weather is fickle. You can leave the house in pants and long sleeves, and by lunch time, need to change into shorts and a t-shirt. The easiest way to deal with this is by dressing in layers. This means sending the kids to school with a coat that will probably only stay on them for about an hour, and putting them in a sleeveless shirt underneath.
2. Manners Are A Must
All children should learn basic manners like saying “please” and “thank you.” But southern children are taught to take it a step further. When addressing their elders, children in the south respond with “yes ma’am,” “no sir,” and “I beg your pardon?” There is also a lot of focus on being helpful and kind to everyone. From opening doors for people to giving directions for visitors who are lost, southern children are raised to believe that being polite is non-negotiable.
3. Dinner Sometimes Comes From Fishing Trips
Fishing is a popular pastime in the south. Dads and their children often take weekend fishing trips together, and bring home what they catch. The fish, when plentiful and healthy enough, will sometimes become dinner at home. Hunting trips are no different. Many a dad has brought home an animal that he shot, which then becomes a family feast.