What a lucky child Mihaela was. I heard much of the same advice but it generally wasn’t stated so affirmatively.
For starters, I think the change from italics was a good device to separate past from present. It reminded me of the wavy lines they use in TV shows to begin flashbacks. Good work. For me, that improved the readability of your work. Otherwise I would have been confused about your point.
My only problem with the first half stems from the opening clause. I say this because this is far too much information for a first grader to comprehend. Perhaps, “Over the years my mother taught me many of life’s lessons, beginning in the first grade”. Or something like that.
You have one question that starts with “is” rather than “can”. I think that was important. It prompts the reader. Nice. It also affirms that the lessons your Mom taught have stuck with you and been the model for your life. This lends credibility to your discourse.
Personally, I appreciate that you don’t single out any particular age group for your comments. I’ve been working over 40 years and have known lazy dolts of my own age and seen lazy adults too. I deplore when older folks criticize all young as not having any work ethic. I see kids with no work ethic as well as those who share your mothers sentiments.
One suggestion. The tone of your questions seems somewhat angry which may turn off an open minded reader. A helpful suggestion to a few of these questions might alleviate that.
Otherwise, I’m with you and am glad we had similar upbringings.
From Karl Doyle on www.writing.com