The Shocking Childhood Beliefs We Thought Were Normal—And Why They’re Still Haunting Us Today
One of my friends dated one of our teachers…. he was absolutely gorgeous, and we were all so jealous.
Now, it makes me feel physically sick….. to the point of infuriated.
Being told to not wear certain clothes around family; tank tops, low cut shirts, shorts, short skirts or dresses. I was always TOLD it was out of respect for older traditional family members. It was not. Unfortunately I’ve got some really horrible relatives, and the second I hit puberty they took notice.
The gifted and talent program I was from 3rd until 8th grade.
Being screamed at about math as a 9 year old isn’t ok.
Acting all nice with visitors and then saying how awful they are as soon as they leave.
When my mom had parties, she used to lock me in the air raid shelter in the basement, sometimes close to 24 hours until everyone was gone. I had a bucket to use as a toilet, and afterwards I’d get a Barbie as a reward for being quiet. I once told someone about it because I genuinely thought it was kind of funny. I was pretty confused as why they were shocked.
Being locked outside or with animals for the night as punishment, and having to earn my opportunity to sleep in the house and be able to be part of the family again because everytime I did something wrong, I tarnished and ruined the reputation of my family.
When you’re told to go hug your aunt and/or uncle that you’ve just met. Whenever I hear that as an adult I just say “whoa whoa, it’s ok. I’ll take that hug whenever THEY’RE ready to give it to me.”
EDIT: Y’know what? It could be a family member that a kid has known for a while. If the kid doesn’t wanna hug anyone, be cool with it.
Riding the car with the windows rolled up and my Mother smoking Pall Mall nonfilters.
Not going to parents for help because you know it’ll make the situation so much worse.
Grew up in the South. The “n-word” was used by everyone.
Being terrified when dad came home in a bad mood.Then trying your best to be invisible so you weren’t in his path of rage.
Learning not to cry because you got hit harder if you did.
“That’s just how boys are, ur gonna have to balance it out and look out for them a little more esp. when u get into puberty.”.
Being completely and utterly afraid of your parents. Smacks, face slaps and whoopings over the simplest of stuff taught you fast that you were not to inconvenience them with your antics or problems. It also taught you to toe the line or feel their wrath. Even down to getting sick: you had better be on death’s doorstep before you dared to try to inconvenience them with that mess. 🤷🏼♀️.
I wasn’t allowed to have feelings. Whenever I tried to express how I felt, my parents would accuse me of being a drama queen. As an adult, I learned to eat my feelings.
Parents saying “I brought you into this world and I can take you out” when they were annoyed with you or threatening you when you were in trouble
That’s one reoccurring quote from my childhood that I will always remember.
Parentification. I knew kids who had to grow up fast and take care of their siblings because their parents were t there for them.
Being forced to smile and say ‘thank you’ for gifts or attention I didn’t actually like. I thought that was normal as a kid now I realize it was a bit manipulative.
The way media and adults would “countdown till 18” with minor pop stars, the body shaming 24/7 even walking into a store and nothing over size 6 being in stock, allowing children to leave the house a sunrise and return at dark without any idea where they are, who they may be with, I can recall dozens of dangerous situations that I should’ve never been in or things I shouldn’t of been exposed to but parents literally did not watch their kids at all.
Growing up my mom never allowed me to sleep past 10am even if I was sick. Was never allowed to take naps either, had to wait until bedtime to sleep.
One time I slept over at a friend’s house and we pulled an all nighter (we were 13) and when I came home I went to sleep cause obviously I was tired. My mom came into my room asking if my friends brother “did anything” to me and that’s why I came home and went straight to bed. Like what?? No mom i stayed up all night as teens do sometimes. She thought it was illegal or something.
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