I haven't read this thread, but I find it interesting. I'm like Roadtrip. I hate it when my DH travels. He's been away for a week and not coming back until Friday; this is pretty rare nowadays, but he used to be gone every week, when the kids were little, Mon.-Thurs. Then, several years of routine, regular trips. Now, since he's the boss, he decides when to go. I am plenty busy, but it makes me think how I could really just work and ride all of the time, if he wasn't around, which is not healthy! I don't mind being alone, as I pretty much get to do what I want even when he is here, so I just really miss him, even after 32 years.
I really can't think of anything I wish my mother told me. I had a very open upbringing and no subject was taboo. I was the same way with my kids, and like Lisa, I gave them what I thought they needed to be healthy and safe and they turned out to be fabulous teenagers and very well adjusted adults. I embarrassed my younger son once, when he was in 6th grade and he asked me what oral sex was, when his friend was over. As I proceeded to explain, in my normal, factual way, he yelled, "STOP!"