If your mom used to nag you for everything from cleaning your room to acing the SATs, chances are she got on your nerves a lot. While this may be true when you’re a teenager, as an adult, it’s time you realize that she’s actually been doing you a favor.

laterjay / Pixabay: Kid holding a soapy sponge washing dishes

Don’t take our word for it. Here’s what a scientific study, done by the University of Essex found:

This study tested 15,500 girls over 13 and observed them for six long years. The researchers found that children who experienced more nagging with regards to school, studies, and household chores ended up being more successful!

Photographee/Shutterstock: Young boy teasing his mother while doing homework

Most of the girls deemed prosperous in this study, had parents – more prominently, mothers, who voiced their opinions about the importance of pursuing higher education, as well as their aspirations for the kids. The extra care would keep them away from the results of bad decisions like teen pregnancy, allowing them a better chance to attend college. With many career prospects, they could also earn well and avoid the doom of unemployment.

All thanks to the moms who verbalize their expectations and reward consistency—be it maintaining good scores in school or not messing up the kitchen duties.

Another point was foundthat sounds rather surprising, especially for rebellious teens. The study showed how, while teenage daughters show heightened resistance for the bits of advice given by their mothers, they end up choosing those recommendations later on.

If not the exact scenario, people are much likely to let those voices from their youth influence future choices. And if someone’s mother’s voice was the loudest, they’re likely to listen to that! Those people might not like it, but it will still guide them to find their place in this world.

Finally, mothers have some guarantee that they may not have been just talking to a wall all those years. But it also means you have more responsibility for what you nag them about.

4 PM production/Shutterstock: Young girl happily entering new house

It’s important to note that nothing remains good over a limit, so excessive nagging could also pose harm to your children like low self-esteem and severe stress that can manifest in not-so-ideal ways.

So it’s vital to find a balance and push them to their goals, without hurting your child.
The next time your teen rolls their eyes at you, just know you’re doing a great job of being the right kind of mom for them!