13 Parenting Lessons I Learned From 'The Real Housewives'

A photo posted by Teresa Giudice (@teresagiudice) on Dec 6, 2014 at 4:30pm PST

Recently I was at a mom’s night out when “The Real Housewives” came up. One of the ladies at the table rolled her eyes and said, “Ugh, it’s so terrible. There’s nothing good about those shows.”

That’s when I chimed in.

See, I’m what you’d call an unapologetic Bravo TV watcher, which means I don’t just watch one series of “The Real Housewives” — I watch them all. When it comes to books and news, I’m a total snob. But when it comes to TV, I’ve got no pride. And I’m not afraid to admit that I love Nene, Bethenny, and all the cat-fighting ladies who call themselves real housewives.

And even though every episode of RHW (wherever it’s based) is filled with fights, gossip, and innuendo, there are also a few redeeming qualities. In fact, if you pay close attention there’s much to be learned from the ladies of New York, Orange County, Miami, Atlanta, and Beverly Hills. After all, most of them were moms long before they became Bravolebrities. That means they provide a ton of parenting lessons, cautionary tales and all. Take note.

1. Every teenage girl will give her mom gray hair. — Jacqueline Laurita, RHONJ

2. Some kids have to learn the hard way, no matter what you do. — Lauri Peterson, RHOBH

3. When it comes down to it, kids are loyal to their parents (even if they don’t always agree with them). — Jacqueline Laurita, RHONJ

4. If you let your kids live at home too long, they’ll never want to leave. — Caroline Manzo, RHONJ

5. No matter what, kids grow up to emulate their parents. — Kim Zolciak, RHOA

6. Kids benefit when their parents have a classy divorce. — Luann de Lesseps, RHONY

7. Even if you lie to your kids, they’ll eventually figure out the truth. — Teresa Giudice, RHONJ

8. Nobody respects a deadbeat dad. — Slade Smiley, RHOC

9. Sometimes the only thing you can do is give your kids tough love. — NeNe Leakes, RHOA

10. No matter how old they are, boys like to pee everywhere but the toilet. — Brandi Glanville, RHOBH

11. It takes a ton of patience to raise a Milania (*and every family has a Milania). — Teresa Giudice, RHONJ

12. No matter how much help you have, being a mom is still a full time job. — Heather Dubrow, RHOC

13. There is such a thing as spending too much money on your children. — Taylor Armstrong, RHOBH

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13 Parenting Lessons I Learned From ‘The Real Housewives’