The Shocking Childhood Beliefs We Thought Were Normal—And Why They’re Still Haunting Us Today
Being fed considerably smaller meals than the boys and men in my family because “girls don’t need to eat much”
Turns out my mother was anorexic, and even though I’m 75 now, my relationship with food is still problematic. Whereby, mother is still going strong at 96 and now eats normally – she eats very well, actually.
Talk about ‘Hit and Run’ !
Hearing “because I said so” as a full explanation.
juliainfinland:
The other moms (and dads) always made fun of my parents because they wouldn’t use “because I said so”. “But she’s far too young to understand!”, every time my parents gave me a (brief, age-appropriate but still sensible*) explanation as to why I was supposed to/not supposed to do something.
Turns out that if you get in the habit of explaining stuff early on, your child will grow up being able to understand (and use) reason and logic and other nifty things. Your child will also grow up to not have any patience whatsoever with the “because I said so” crowd. And you’d be surprised at how much even very young children understand.
*”Sensible”: no fluffybunny stuff like “because it makes Jesus cry”
“Harmless” pranks were common in my life, it took telling this story to someone and them saying it was messed up to make it click that most, if not all of the pranks my dad pulled on us kids were beyond horrific.
My dad rented a car and told me it was a graduation present. It took a lot of convincing because my father was notorious for his elaborate pranks and I just knew it was another one of his “jokes.” He spent the better part of the day tossing the keys at me and urging me to take my new car for a spin until he finally wore me down and made me think that maybe it wasn’t a joke after all. He had the whole family lined up in the driveway to witness the maiden voyage of the new car only to take my keys out of my hands right as I was about to put them in the ignition and let me know I was too young to drive a rental and laugh uproariously as the rest of the family joined in mocking me for being so gullible and my stupidly trusting nature.
Another one was when he spatchcocked our evil rooster and had it in the fridge, he was a HUGE bird. He hid my sister’s pet rabbit and convinced her it was Bun Bun chilling in the fridge. She went vegan for over ten years after that traumatizing joke.
For the record, my father ended up alone and miserable, just as he deserved.
Getting called fat to my face constantly by everyone (my mom, siblings, friends, other adults) when I was 5’4” and 115 lbs, and wore a size 2
Now I’m 165 and I’ve never been called fat even once. Make it make sense.
I used to sleep on an empty stomach. Not because my family was poor and not everyone could eat. I could’ve eaten. I just noticed how tired mom always was and how my dad was giving her a hard time so I decided to pretend like I wasn’t hungry at all before going to bed. I did this for a good while.
Not having any right to personal belongings, privacy, or emotional expression that didn’t involve performing for the adults who couldn’t regulate their own emotions.
catsareniceDTH:
Ah, the classic “I paid for it. When you pay for it, it’s yours until then, you owe me everything I do for you.” Then taking away things I bought myself because they were a good way to punish.
Oh, and cutting the plugs off my things, because I may have bought them myself, but I didn’t pay for the electricity, despite being charged rent ‘housekeeping’ for years.
Hitting my head intentionally/other forms of SH to cope with stuff. I thought everyone did it privately for years.
In the 1970s, my brother and I rode in the open back of a pickup truck from Houston, TX to Destin, FL, and back. We did this every summer for a few years. It was a 10-hour drive.
Being 13 years old (female) and having 18+ year old lads hanging round, buying us booze on a weekend. Seemed so cool and edgy at the time but now it gives me the creeps to think these grown men were actively choosing to spend time with pre-teen girls basically and buying them alcohol.
Not being taken to the doctor when something was VERY wrong (concussions, broken heel, foot sliced open on glass, etc.). I also have asthma but never knew until I was 23 because my mom always told me i was just “out of shape” when I would struggle to breathe after gym class.
My parents being okay with my 12 year old self dating a 19 year old guy. Spoiler—it wasn’t okay.
Not being included in any decisions/no autonomy. Although I did realise a bit as a kid, when I was with a friend and their parents were asking them questions, like what they wanted to do on school holidays, and actually including them in their plans, and I was absolutely floored. What, you don’t just have to tag along with whatever your parents to and try and make the best of it? They actually do things FOR you and with you, like go to movies and theme parks and stuff???
Also, being physically provided for but emotionally neglected in general.
Rhythm Superfoods Beet Chips Organic and Non GMO Vegan Gluten Free Snacks, Naked, 1.4 Ounce (Pack of 4)
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Joking Hazard Enlarged Box Empty Box for Card Storage
$12.00 (as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Farmhouse LED Ceiling Fan - 52" L x 52" W - Metal Caged Fixture - Rich Barnwood/Light Driftwood Fan Blades
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
RIVER OF GOODS Stained Glass Bird Accent Lamp - 8" W x 13.5" H - Tiffany Style Table Lamps for Home, Office Desk, Bedroom, Nightstand - Blue Jay Decor
(as of March 3, 2026 16:43 GMT +00:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Post Comment