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"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow We had to wake up whenever my parents got up, even if it was 4 a.m. One of them would yell up the stairs for us to get up. Didn't realize I could get up at my own leisure until I got married and moved out. One day I got out of bed when my husband did and we were sitting in the living room watching tv when I exclaimed that I was still tired, he said "So go back to bed then" and it was like those moments on a show when an actor just looks at the camera with a surprised expression. The sudden realization that I could wake up whenever I wanted was over whelming.

Also now that I have a kid I have no idea why they wouldn't let us sleep so they could have some free time? Like damn if my son is sleeping I'm taking in all the quiet and enjoying myself some free time.

_LaceBatman28_ , Artem Podrez Report

Final score:

368points

POST

NakNakNak 1 year ago

Simple case of "If I have to be awake and miserable about it, YOU have to be awake and miserable about it."

187points

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow 4 minute shower restricted to once a week. This was when I was in high school. This is all my folks did to save money so it was all I was allowed as well. If I exceeded the 4 minutes they would turn off the hot water from the main valve by the water heater. Imagine that- a high school boy allowed one shower a week and only a 4 minute shower.

I now take a shower a day and sometimes two. And sometimes until the hot water runs out.

anon , Grant Durr Report

Final score:

336points

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Rahul Pawa 1 year ago

Teenage boys need to shower more than once a week. Adults too, really. Some people take money saving too far. I bet this saved them very little money.

237points

buttchugandplug69 , RODNAE Productions Report

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Trust Game! Mom would hold knives to our necks sometimes and say "it ll all be over in a feeewwww minutes" or wake us up putting a pillow over our face and plugging our noses, same thing " it ll all be over in a fewww minutes" if we freaked out she get upset say we didn't trust her. Hence the trust game.

Final score:

334points

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Jaekry 1 year ago

That's abuse... MAJOR abuse. I'm baffled.... Extremely toxic psychological abuse... wow.

573points

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Normal parents take a toy away until their child's behavior improves, then returns the toy as a reward for good behavior.

My mother just took my stuff and never gave it back. She'd claim that we could 'earn' our toys back with extra chores and good grades, but she never followed through even though I was on honor roll every single semester. I was in college when the closet organizer in our hallway closet had a critical failure, so I came home to help move stuff. I found an entire box of my confiscated books and toys. I s**t you not, my mother picked up a beanie baby and looked at me sadly while she said, "I was waiting for you to earn this back." What, were you going to surprise me with after I walked the stage and got my diploma?

LadySmuag , ashleigh290 Report

Final score:

324points

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Something 1 year ago

What's even the point?

196points

I wasn't allowed to have boys phone or come calling for me because my mom didn't want me to turn out to be "some little s**t".

Joke's on you, mom.

thegirlstoodstill Report

Final score:

315points

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Nitka Tsar 1 year ago

Ha! LoL love this one. You go girl

129points

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow We had a lock on the fridge and were never allowed to help ourselves to anything - you had to ask, usually the answer was 'no'.

I started buying junk food and hiding it in my closet - I think my father was completely clueless about growing teenage appetites and smoked, so his appetite was almost non-existent.

I struggle with binge eating to this day - I still love a good gorge, it means freedom and a giant middle finger to that lock on the fridge.

AptCasaNova , Marghoob Hasan Report

Final score:

282points

POST

SaneMinotaur (she/her) 1 year ago

This is so incredibly sad. My parents kept the snacks in a locked cupboard in the garage; my sis picked the lock and they moved the snacks. My mum used to hoard food in her room, and one time I snuck in there and ate some of it; I got into soooo much trouble over that. I was like 9 at the time.

166points

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My parents are pretty much hoarders so we would get in trouble for cleaning. My mom always blamed our house being messy on her just being "too busy" so once in junior high I thought I would surprise her and have the whole kitchen clean when she got home. I cleared all the piles off the counters, threw away a bunch of decades-old magazines, and took out like 2 giant bags of trash. When she got home she was NOT pleased, but panicked, and promptly went digging outside in the trash can to bring the stuff back in. :/

adakati , Ben+Sam Report

Final score:

266points

POST

wifeofweasley 1 year ago

This is a mental illness - it's so hard for people to let go of stuff. Some people who suffer can clearly see what's wrong with them but can't help them self nor get help by professional. The others don't even see an issue with their behavior

274points

celestialmotion , cottonbro studio Report

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Until the age of 13 myself and siblings each had to take baths with dad to ensure we cleaned everywhere.

Final score:

252points

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JoJo Anisko 1 year ago

Screams sexual abuse.

427points

#10

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My parents wouldn't let me do anything with friends if they felt I had "done enough that week" or "didn't need to" even when I hadn't done anything at all that particular week. My friends started calling it the fun meter. "Wanna come play basketball at the park or is your fun meter full this week?"

rmack10 , RODNAE Productions Report

Final score:

249points

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Chucky Cheezburger 1 year ago

I feel this. My parents would arbitrarily let me go out with friends. No reason or rhyme to it.

113points

#11

Not a rule, just something that I never realized was weird until I was an adult. My mom had a phobia of needles, so she managed to find a dentist who didn't believe in giving novocaine shots. For any reason. Didn't even use that numbing gel.When you had a cavity, and needed to have your teeth drilled, he would just tell you to hold onto his assistant's hand, and squeeze when it hurt. Thank God, none of us ever needed to have a tooth pulled. As a result, I developed a phobia of dentists, and after I left my parents house at 18, waited 23 years, before I ever got up the nerve to go to a dentist again. When I finally did, they were shocked. The hygienist said, "Your teeth are beautiful. You don't even have any cavities." I said "I know. I do everything in my power to avoid having to come see you people."

kitchentrash Report

Final score:

243points

POST

GoldenRhino 1 year ago

I grew up with the same dentist experience… still have to get full anaesthesia or laughing gas for the most minor things. Thanks mom!

109points

justsomefairy , Tima Miroshnichenko Report

#12

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow "You eat everything you're served". So if they put a whole lot of food on our plate, and we had already eaten enough and were not hungry anymore, we would have to stay on the table until we were done.

Final score:

235points

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Jaekry 1 year ago (edited)

Took me hours.... Mom guilt tripping me (with "other children in the world are starving, how dare you.)... The times I was 4 hours at the table were plentiful, picking my food, then finally giving in. Then rewarded with doing the dishes at 10 or 11 at night... I wasn't even a teen.

195points

DataAttackHelicoptor Report

#13

I was raised in a fundy Christian household. Though our media options were limited to veggie tales and the like, we always had to ask before watching any video. Usually, the answer was a simple yes or no. But this one time, I was around 14 and asked my dad if I could watch Winnie the Pooh (it was for my little siblings, but I was bored). He told me, dead serious, that he needed to pray about it. Right there, he asked God for wisdom in deciding whether I should watch it or not. I stood there just trying to figure out if he was messing with me. He was not. After about a minute, he looks at me and says, "I guess that would be okay."

Final score:

209points

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censorshipsucks 1 year ago

Comrade Xi does not approve of this post.

90points

#14

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Juice always had to be watered down to 50%.

It wasn't a bad rule--saves calories and money--but it totally blew my mind when I found out that other families drink orange juice *full strength*.

pervocracy , Charlotte May Report

Final score:

208points

POST

Sue Bradley 1 year ago

Pure juice of any kind is bad for you - soo much sugar!!! A small glass isn't too bad but not loads of it :(

75points

#15

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow No one was allowed to s**t in our house. We had a large house and all 4 of us had our own restrooms. There was this little girl with special needs I used to play with when I was little and once she had to use the restroom. My mom asked me where she was and I said she's in the bathroom. My mom walked in on the poor girl mid-s**t and told her to go home and finish.

anon , Miriam Alonso Report

Final score:

207points

POST

PattonPawter 1 year ago

for those confused if you go to the source link then OP clarifies that no outsiders were allowed to s**t in OP’s house.

39points

#16

My dad had several weird ones to this day I still don't understand.

I wasn't allowed to read at the table while I was eating or drinking. Even if I was completely by myself drinking coffee, if he walked in on me he would berate me for having a 'toy' at the table.

No one in the family was allowed to drink at the counter in the kitchen. I have a habit of just draining a glass of water and pouring myself a second one. I didn't see the point of filling a glass, going to sit down, spend about a minute drinking, and then getting back up just to refill the glass. I tend to drain most drinks in a matter of seconds, so I got into the habit of just drinking at the counter. First time my dad saw me doing this he lost it yelling at me about how it wasn't normal and to sit down at the table while I drank.

Reading books before bedtime was forbidden. Everyone in the house throughout the day has to be 'productive'. Reading is for right before you go to bed. Finish all your chores before everyone else? F**k you, your brother/sister is still cleaning, you're just being lazy by sitting down to read a book!

He also had major issues with me just reading in general, even for class assignments. I actually had a full on argument with him a couple of times about The Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye I was reading for my English Lit class. He was trying to prevent me from reading them, but I shot back I had too because it counted towards my grade. The entire class also took a huge test on each book, so NOT reading wasn't an option.

Yeah, he was a bizarre person. Suffice to say we don't talk anymore.

lady_terrorbird Report

Final score:

205points

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Emmydearest 1 year ago

The "duty before pleasure" policy makes sense until he said he had completed all his chores but he couldn't relax because he had to help his sibling completing their chores. It's really stupid, to be honest. It's just going to make the kids work slowly so they won't be the first to finish and have to do more work. If I still have to work after I've done my work how can I be motivated to work faster? It really makes no sense, parents' wise.

21points

#17

I wasn't allowed to say anything my parents didn't like - it would result in an immediate grounding or "fine" from my allowance. As for rules, no sleeping past 10 am. Ever. All chores must be done before going out or doing anything. Only one hour of T.V per evening and only one dessert per week. One hour of internet at a time (this was early 2000ish) and only if my dad wasn't using the computer (he always was).

Now for the weird ones...

- no farting
- no ketchup on potatoes or eggs
- no more than a tablespoon or so of a condiment at any given time
- no hiccups
- if you had hiccups, no eating or drinking (edit: or speaking)
- no being "hyper" - ever.
- no getting angry
- no using the washroom upstairs
- no speaking during T.V shows at all (on the rare occasion that I was allowed to watch T.V upstairs).

And the pièce de résistance...

- (For a year or so) no using the word I

BeyondAddiction Report

Final score:

202points

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The Dark Sun 1 year ago

Certain people simply should not have kids

336points

#18

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow I wasn't allowed to sleep over at friends' houses until I was almost in middle school. Why? Because my mother was afraid that we would play Russian Roulette.

1121314151617 , Pavel Danilyuk Report

Final score:

199points

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Corvus 1 year ago

Because that's what kids do all the time, right? (rolls eyes)

187points

#19

Here's a christmas-y one for ya'll!

No christmas presents after you turn 12
- t'was okay since we barely got presents from my mum (who we lived with) and my dad (I don't think I had even seen him in 4 years at the time.)
BUT THEN...
she spread the rule to my abuelita and grandpa (the only other people we got presents from.) ugh.

Oh and we also had to make all our own food since we were 13 which made me take to only binge eating at lunch and nothing else all day.

Oh AANNDD she would hurt our pets if they hurt her. I mean like if a cat ever scratched her (wow really who woulda thought cats do that?) she would scream really loud and bite the cat.

Fun fact: I've never had a full punch on with anyone other than my mum...maybe my sister but ya know...kids.

Final score:

180points

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wifeofweasley 1 year ago

The cat one is the worst one! It's still just an animal and just reading that the mom hurt the kitty hurts my heart.

209points

#20

Not I, but my father's stepmother used to make he and my aunt clean up the living room, kitchen, and dining room while her and her "real children" were taken to McDonalds, every Friday.

The most f****d up thing is, my father said that the first time she made them clean up, she said that her and the two step-siblings would switch off every week as to who would clean and who would go to McDonalds. He said he doesn't ever remember going to McDonalds. Neither does my aunt.

He was 7, she was 12.

LegendSir Report

Final score:

173points

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Meebumitches 1 year ago

I treated my step kids like my own. No longer with their mom, over 10 years now. None of the three speak to their mother and 2 out of three don't speak to their father either. My stepson (M24) recently asked me for permission to change his last name to mine as he doesn't want to be associated with either birth parent.

52points

#21

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Only 3 sheets of toilet paper allowed per visit. This included if you went number 2. I swear my mum used to stand outside and listen and she just knew when I used more and I would get yelled at and the door nearly broken down. This ran into my teens.

The_lonliest_girl , Anna Shvets Report

Final score:

169points

POST

Ba-Na-Na 1 year ago

She must have been a laundry wizard then!

114points

John Carr 1 year ago

Feed her a large dose of laxatives and then hand her 3 sheets.....see how she likes it. Bloody psycho!

44points

Lou Cam 1 year ago

Oh I'd love to be there for that....not in the bathroom itself but in the house so I could her her pleas whilst satan himself crawled out her behind. I'd hand her newspaper instead of toilet roll. Deal with that!

11points

Debbie 1 year ago

Due to something I need quite a lot of sheets before I am clean after a no2 usually... 3 sheets would hardly be enough after peeing. And when on period... brrr having to think that I'd have to pull my panties up while still being dirty on all sides.

16points

Seadog 1 year ago

In the words of the late Jay Hickman, "I've got enough hair on my a** to weave an Indian blanket" 3 sheets ain't gonna get it done.

1point

David 1 year ago

Must have been hell for a teenage girl on her period - and pooping - and deciding where to allot those precious three sheets. School security sees you acting suspicious and pulls you aside. You break down in tears and cop to having taken an extra six sheets of TP out of the school bathroom.

14points

Rose the Cook 1 year ago

Once worked with a woman who insisted her kids use only one sheet and really did listen.

10points

Z Alexi 1 year ago

And your colleague bragged about this? omfg. Read where~~"for environmental reasons"~~actress Cameron Diaz advised all to "use only 4 sheets of toilet paper." Haven't seen her films since.

1point

Ches Yamada 1 year ago

My grandfather (we lived with him) would say "1 sheet for number one and 2 for number two is ALL you need". My mother backed him up. Let's just say I had extremely heavy periods and there was no way even a full handful was enough.

8points

The Forgotten Loser 1 year ago

My mom used to put toilet paper in tiny ziplock bags, one for each person in the household. The bags would only have five squares and if we used our squares up, we couldn't go to the bathroom until the next day. It was my moms really bad attempt to save money.

8points

Some guy 1 year ago

Hell, just paying for all those baggies would ruin that plan!

0points

GhostlyFinn 1 year ago

What if you were on your period though??

5points

KnightOwl 1 year ago (edited)

I hate when people complain about stuff like this. My dad used to rant about how much loo roll our family used, every time he had to buy more. We would argue that it was his fault for having so many kids (8) and that we used as much as we needed to get clean. No matter what arguments we had or how valid they were, he still freaked every time. (Eg. Would you rather we all walked around smelling of s**t? Do you really want to wash the s**t stained underwear of 10 people every day? Maybe if you didn't buy the cheapest, thinest paper possible, we'd use less 🤷‍♀️) Us 8 kids were very close in age with around a year between each of us, so the teen years were a nightmare. (3 teenage boys and 5 menstrating teenage girls but he still constantly complained and tried to make us feel bad for using too much!)

4points

Arsène Thédié 1 year ago

No wonder, she sounds very anally retentive

4points

Frits Driessen 1 year ago

Oh I'd be done with this so quickly. Wipe with my underwear and just put on clean ones. Let mom deal with the s**t stains.

3points

Surfing Panda 1 year ago (edited)

Holy f*ck.... that's weird ... ehm...sh*t. (Pun intended). Mind you: I remember having to use newspaper torn in pieces to wipe. That fortunately stopped when I was around 10 or so. (try it: it's like mission impossible. The only way to get some result is completely wrinkling the sheet, then flattening it again, then proceed. It will give the paper a minimal required absorption capacity. Sorry for the technicality)

3points

Monosyllabic girl 1 year ago

I had to use a coffee filter once...poor shopping planning lol. Good to know that tip about newspaper in case the need ever arises!

1point

KDav 1 year ago

This was a running joke in our family that one of the great-aunts was so cheap she would buy single-ply and you shouldn't need more than 3 sheets. But she grew up on a farm where they used corn cobs to wipe after pooping, so three sheets of toilet paper was enough to check (after the white cob came away clean; you'd use brown cobs to do the real "dirty work," apparently). As far as I know it was never actually enforced, but we joked about not telling Aunt Mary for years. She would also write down jokes she heard and keep all the little slips of paper in her purse in case a situation arose where she could tell them.

3points

Z Alexi 1 year ago

Hoarding jokes is smart~~esp when you're talking to a bore. As long as auntie didn't "enforce" her idiotic rule on any1 else, it's her body...whew.

0points

censorshipsucks 1 year ago

more abuse.

3points

Evi Grimes 1 year ago

Gross

2points

Tom Hardeveld 1 year ago

I hope it was 12-ply?

2points

My O My 1 year ago

I allways got in trouble for using too much tp. I also had diarrhea my entire childhood/youth. So, yeah

2points

G'ma B 1 year ago

Weird person!

1point

Erica Politica 1 year ago

Y'all must've had some dirty, itchy bottoms. 🙄

1point

PolymathNecromancer 1 year ago

And that's only for starters.... the mindf*ck from a mandated sh*tty a*s may well lead me to the aforementioned Russian Roulette....

1point

Catharina Geerts 6 months ago

Gross

0points

M S 11 months ago

Insane

0points

Lucky momma 11 months ago

My parents had the same rule. My dad always said it was because of the septic tank not being able to handle more? And never 2-ply paper. When I moved out I went crazy trying every 2-ply on the market!

0points

Diana Pahule 1 year ago

I'm gonna thank my mom for not being a complete weirdo.

0points

Marie Claire Lafreniere 1 year ago

Sounds like your mom would yeet off the nearest cliff if she saw how much toilet paper I use. I wish her final years thrive with incontinence. 😂😂

0points

Z Alexi 1 year ago

Pee & poop on your hands 3 times a day all of your growing-up days? So you just wasted soap which also costs $. Cruelty = divorce. Hope you're estranged from this cruel woman who doesn't deserve to have you as a friend.

0points

Pandasizing World Peace 1 year ago

I hope these toilet paper cheap-os at least let their kids use soap to wash their hands after having so little TP to use.

0points

Alison Welles 1 year ago

She could do a Charmin commercial, for real.

0points

Karen Philpott 1 year ago

And what would happen if you had diarrhoea?

0points

Shannon 1 year ago

We had 2 sheets for #1, 4 sheets for #2. Until I was a few years married I lived by this.

0points

Z Alexi 1 year ago

You were obviously not mature enough for marriage. This is self-inflicted after you turned 18. No pity party for you~~just for your cruel parents.

0points

Mel The Axolotl 1 year ago

How do you know just by listening tho. I'm worried there was a camera or something. Maybe that's just me overthinking tho

-1point

#22

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow That 'the man' was watching us (my sister and I as kids).

Not santa, literally 'the man'.

So say if we were playing up, they'd go 'you'd better stop that, he's watching' and we'd quit immediately for the impending dread this man would bring. How f*****g creepy is that?

Officeprisoner , Artem Lysenko Report

Final score:

166points

POST

Jackie Lulu 1 year ago

Pretty effen' creepy.

84points

#23

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow No saying "no." As long as someone asks kindly you have to say yes.

anon , Lukas Report

Final score:

163points

POST

Nathaniel 1 year ago

Please may I sacrifice you in the name of our Dark Lord?

245points

#24

I wasn't allowed to be a witch on Halloween because my parents were afraid it would offend actual witches. I also wasn't allowed to be a ghost because they were afraid I would attract actual ghosts and I wasn't allowed to be a vampire because they were afraid a real vampire might mistake me for a real vampire. Both my parents were highly superstitious and into the occult, which I didn't realize until later since we went to temple and I went to hebrew classes, but apparently my father was secretly a practicing wiccan and my mother was just going along with everything. Somehow they both got it into their heads that I was attracting poltergeists that were specifically out to get my mom and so they decided I wasn't allowed to do anything that could attract evil spirits. For some reason this rule didn't seem to apply to my brother...

Zoklett Report

Final score:

160points

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Jesse Setliffe 1 year ago

Your father wasn't a Wiccan, he was a mental case. Oh he may have read something about the Wiccan religion, but he missed entirely the point of what he had read and focused entirely on what could feed his existing anxieties and obsessions until he reached borderline dangerously insane territory. I sure hope you got out of that scene.

197points

Ineedmorecoffeenow , Helena Lopes Report

#25

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My step-dad when I was growing up was a very strange man. We had to sign and date the inside of our toilet tissue rolls because he wanted to make sure we weren't going through TP too fast. Want to borrow a pencil? I did in 7th grade. I had to write and sign a one page lease (with said pencil) outlining the whole scenario and how I would return it, when, in what condition...
My allowance was $1/week. This paid for toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. Nice...
My mom had to put receipts of the grocery trips on the fridge and he'd pay her for specific items he deemed were his. He was such a piece of work.
My mother was a bit younger than he, so his children weren't in her children's age bracket, and none of us were very close. In middle school he gave me his daughter's diary from years before when she was in high school. I read about a page and was horrified that he was abusing her privacy in such a way. He loved to mention when I was 16 that I was as pretty as I would ever be and if he were younger and not married to my mother...(as if). I even had to pay rent to live at home IN HIGH SCHOOL.
He was special. And I don't mean that in a good way. The only positive thing about it was I was naturally a very shy person, but he put my hackles up so much that I became very argumentative and adversarial in regards to him. Overall, that wasn't a bad skill to develop. That man's bare feet never touched the ground or felt blades of grass in his life. He was afraid of germs and Catholic guilt and "that one experience in college" with his roommate. He was just a man who couldn't deal with himself so he lorded himself over others in strange ways. What I've mentioned is the tip of a very large iceberg of weirdness.

He was something strange to grow up with. I'm still a people pleaser to a degree, but when my bs meter goes off I have zero patience for it and speak or act accordingly--mostly because I spent my last few years when they were still married being defiant towards him. Who wouldn't?
Sadly, I had a friend from that age whose step-dad was WAY worse than what I had to deal with, but that isn't my story to tell.

Final score:

153points

POST

Carol Emory 1 year ago

I never got an allowance...but I didn't have to pay for my own deodorant or shampoo. I also rarely went to the movies or out anywhere with friends because I had no money. When I was in high school, my friends usually paid for me. I'm forever grateful for them giving me a life outside of my home.

114points

#26

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My mom never let us whistle - she sad it would attract mice. I now know she was just making stuff up because whistling was annoying to her lol

tzomqe , Eman Genatilan Report

Final score:

146points

POST

Casey McAlister 1 year ago

I also heard about this superstition, so it's not just your mother. Another one - if you whistle you'll go broke.

62points

#27

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My parents made us kids use the back door to get in and out of the house, the front door was for parents and guests only. I thought it was normal for too long.

bicmitchum8623 , Ben Mack Report

Final score:

143points

POST

Debbie 1 year ago

That probably has to do with dirty shoes and not closing the door properly behind you or leaving the backdoor unlocked? I get very tired in summer constantly getting up to open te front door for them so I tell them to go around the back too.

133points

#28

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow 8:30 bedtime. My. Entire. Damned. Life. Though, I knew as a teenager that making your high schooler go to bed when it was still light out half the time was whacko.

Well into my 20s I'd come back to visit for the holidays and dad would get up to use the toilet at night, see the light on in my room from me being awake reading a book at 10 p.m., and yell at me to go to sleep.

norrina , Polina Kovaleva Report

Final score:

141points

POST

Miss Frankfurter 1 year ago

No!

76points

ReDefiance , Counselman Collection Report

#29

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow I was raised a Jehovahs Witness, so yeah. Not having friends outside of religion was pretty strictly enforced until I got into my teens.

Final score:

136points

POST

tHeBoRdEsTpAnDa 1 year ago

Everything I read about JWs makes me more and more concerned because I know one and she's really nice. She's also lesbian, does anyone know the JW opinions on that?

76points

#30

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow We weren't allowed to take our clothes/shoes to mom's. We had to change into what we wore when we arrived. It wasn't until I was in middle school that I learned that other kids *own* their stuff. Weird.

AnonymousBBQ , Annushka Ahuja Report

Final score:

121points

POST

SpookyPanda 1 year ago

Actually, I get this. When she was 5, my stepdaughter's mom would send her in clothes that were too small, too large, with holes or stains, or didn't match. If we bought her clothes and she took them home, we'd never see them again. About a year or so in, I asked my husband to let me buy her clothes that she kept at our house. When she arrived, she'd wear what I got her that actually fit and were in good condition. When she went home, she had to change back into her home clothes that she came in. Sometimes we would get her things she could take home, but we knew we might never see it again. Sure enough, by the time she was in late elem/middle school, her mom was taking her clothes that we bought her. Sigh. Now, we have full custody so it's no longer an issue.

174points

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#31

I was not allowed to hang out with friends, or leave the house with very few exceptions. I spent most of my time at my parents place in the basement reading because it was quiet and I would try to avoid being yelled at. I would be so afraid to ask to do things that after a while I just stopped and gave up.

I was not allowed to argue or stand up for myself in any way.

My mom would often punish me severely for very small things (I forget to close a door, I cooked for myself, cleaned up but there was a fingerprint on the countertop) and it was really unpredictable so I was just often afraid.

Every Wednesday I had to clean for 2 hours. My mom has OCD so everything was already clean but we would have to clean the rooms anyways which included washing dishes that were clean in the cupboards, washing clean counters, walls, ect.

I was not allowed to decorate my room in any way that would potentially have any lasting mark of my existence. No way to make it mine, no posters, no pictures, nothing could touch the walls, nothing could be on my desk, only my phone and alarm clock could be on my dresser.

I would get in trouble for cooking my own food even though they did not feed me.

I was not allowed to sleep in.

When I became depressed and got insomnia and they found out they gave me crafts and I started to get quotas for the amount I had to complete so I wouldn't get in trouble for getting up to 'no good' while I stayed awake.

I wasn't allowed to swear and was afraid what would happen if I said "Oh my god" until I was about 14.

There's many more I'm probably forgetting, but I left home at 16.

alissatron Report

Final score:

46points

POST

Just Tim 1 year ago

Thaaaaaaat's abuse!

32points

#32

* My mom wouldn't let us use water guns. We could only use these things called "squirters" and if the neighborhood kids were having water fights, she would come out and test the strength of the sprays. If it was too strong, we had to go inside..In high school, I went to a pool party with super soakers and basically had an anxiety attack. I was so afraid someone would post photos.
* when people collected canned goods for food pantries, we could only give them creamed corn. I once was grounded for taking some green beans for the homeless shelter. I make it a point to find out what the pantry needs before donating now. Its never creamed corn.
* we could only mow the yard wearing a bathing suit. Finally own my own house and wear shorts and a shirt and it's still not a great chore, but at least I'm clothed.

violetmemphisblue Report

Final score:

38points

POST

Nitka Tsar 1 year ago

Somehow, the bathing suit thing creeps me out.

44points

#33

We couldn't eat what we wanted. We always had to ask for food.

I'm much better off today than my family ever was, and I absolutely NEVER will make my family ask to have food.

*Edit* I was not as detailed as I should have been, as people have pointed out this happened in their life. It wasn't a matter of, "No, you can't eat that, we're having dinner soon," or that kind of mentality from my parent(s), not was it to prevent eating junk food. We had to ask to eat at any time we wanted to eat. And the parent either acted like it was a chore to have to prepare food or would them tell us what and how much we could get out of the fridge. Imagine as a child basically having to remind your mother that you're actually a person that needs sustenance, and sometimes being denied that for days, or given allowance of the bar minimum to survive. There were also many many non-alcoholic foods that my parent(s) wouldn't let me have because they were for them only, because of how selfish they were. Silly example, but u didn't have Pepsi or any other soda until I was 15, but we always had Pepsi in the fridge as grew up.

FordyceFoxtrot Report

Final score:

36points

POST

Chickens are fluffy 1 year ago

Abuse

21points

#34

My brother and I were never allowed to have our doors closed or locked. I'm 18 now and I still can't have my bedroom door closed for longer than the few seconds it takes to get changed.

green_bean_420 Report

Final score:

36points

POST

LK 1 year ago

Where does this idea come from?! I've only heard it in the context of American parents, and wonder where this rule originates.

17points

#35

Don't go out in the full moon because witches would kidnap me.

Always carry a patch of wood on your person while at airports, to prevent witches from cursing you.

Make a cross symbol out of saliva on your forehead before sleeping to prevent demonic possession.

Open the windows wide open in the morning to let the bad spirits out of the house.

MeowsterOfCats Report

Final score:

35points

POST

Hotdogking 1 year ago

Gotta keep that wood on you at all times, otherwise you might be turned into a NEWT!

33points

#36

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My dad would stomp the floor so we could hear how many stomps from the basement. This was to indicate which kid he needed to talk to, instead hollering us up.

2 stomps meant I had to come upstairs for something

3 stomps my brother

4 stomps my other brother

Lizziloo87 , Ron Lach Report

Final score:

33points

POST

Senjo Krane 1 year ago

Quite clever that.

46points

#37

While I can understand the "only X cookies per day" rule, increasing as I got older, I still have no idea why my parents instituted an "only X pickles per day" rule.

I still feel mildly guilty when I eat more than one pickle. `:I`

fubes2000 Report

Final score:

33points

POST

Dominique Coates 1 year ago

I had to limit myself growing up if I ate more then three they would kill my stomach. So there's that.

3points

#38

My mother would not allow us to say "um" during a conversation, if we did she'd mentally count each time you said it at the end of the conversation you'd get smacked said amount. Then there was "no scraping your teeth rule" if you scraped your teeth on any dining utensil watch out because something was about to hit you. To this day I refrain from the word "um" and will count when someone else says it. Also the scraping utensils thing gets under my skin now too.

Aaronp6 Report

Final score:

32points

POST

Upstaged75 1 year ago

I can't stand the sound of anyone scraping their teeth on a fork. It's like nails on a chalkboard for me.

3points

#39

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My parents left all the original protective plastic covers on anything they bought, like lamp shades or plastic film on VCRs.

Tcloud , Blue Bird Report

Final score:

30points

POST

Alan Christensen 1 year ago

So they would be in great condition for some imagined future owner?

17points

#40

Not me, but my cousin's parents (also my cousins but they were older cousins) made us takes baths together which I always thought was f*****g strange as s**t. Like I was not allowed to take a bath by myself. I HAD to take a bath with my younger cousin. And I remember being like 7 or 8 at the time. He was probably around 4 or 5.

It was just f*****g strange and I didn't like it and told them I didn't like it. I was chastised for it. I didn't go for overnight visits that much after that.

darkforcedisco Report

Final score:

30points

POST

LK 1 year ago

This was very common years ago when people didn't have such ready access to hot water. It's become much less common now.

22points

#41

I didn't realize not everybody's house was spotless. My siblings and I cleaned the whole house every week. Moved furniture to vacuum, dust, etc and we had a house keeper that would come for a full day to clean, dust and vacuum the stuff we did 2-3 days prior every week as well. We also had several old trees in our yard would have to pick up any stick that fell daily. Occasionally the whole family would go through the yard on our hands and knees picking up any stick longer than 1 inch. Once when I was in highschool my mom wouldn't let me go to practice after school because I needed to tighten every screw in the house because things were coming loose.

Edit: Mom got some help she's well adjusted and a rockstar grandmother. It's very different from the woman that I would fear. We would frantically reclean before she got home so we wouldn't get called losers. Every magazine edge perpendicular with the coffee table etc

I also like a clean house but in no way a clean freak.

I-come-from-Chino Report

Final score:

29points

POST

Loonie Toonie 1 year ago

I like clean homes too because I have a CD and if I'm going to clean room it makes me feel clean and it makes me feel happy :)

0points

#42

My parents only had three since I hit my teen.
1. Don't be homosexual
2. No body modifications
3. No smoking or drugs.
I'm a rural Canadian and when I got to college I realized how odd it was. Suffice to say, I broke them in my first year.

ddorsamo1013 Report

Final score:

27points

POST

Shnortman 1 year ago

YEAAAAAAAH!🏳‍🌈

16points

#43

Father in law forbade anyone from drinking a beverage during the first half of any meal. No water, no milk, no juice, nothing, no matter how thirsty you were. He took this very seriously and would berate both kids and adults at the table if they tried.

Imho this ruined the meal experience. The rest of the family tolerated this for some reason. I had to explain to my wife no one else ever did this and we would never use that rule at our own dinner table.

Thunder_bird Report

Final score:

26points

POST

KDav 1 year ago

I was visiting some friends from Sudan and they offered me food but no drink. When I asked for water, they explained that the only reason they didn't offer me something to drink was because where they came from that was something only cheap people did. They would give you water to fill up your stomach so they wouldn't have to give you as much food when it was time to eat. Not saying this is the case here, but I thought it was interesting.

8points

#44

When I got home from school, my dad would always ask "How did you f**k up today?"

I was a prissy, straight A student so this was his attempt to keep my ego in check. I later learned normal parents asked "What did you learn today?"

laterdude Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Katie Andrews 1 year ago

That's abuse. I'm sorry you had to endure that. Your dad was very insecure.

4points

#45

Every sunday we would dress up and go to Big Boy at around 10 am. Every other family in town was also in fancy clothes and at Big Boy. Later I learned that all those other people were at Church, which we did not participate in.... so either we were pretending we were at church, or we worship Big Boy.

ooo-ooo-oooyea Report

Final score:

26points

POST

TKA 1 year ago

This is quite funny!

18points

#46

I had a really messed up childhood, but I mostly knew the rules were weird even while I was following them. But then as I was reading through other comments just now I realized for the first time that a particular rule was weird. My parents convinced me that media age ratings were the LAW. I thought it was illegal for a kid under 13 to watch a PG-13 movie, for a kid under 14 to watch a TV-14 show, etc. But the really weird part is that this extended to books too. My parents told me that kids' books were for elementary schoolers, YA books were for middle and high schoolers, and adult books were only for people who had turned 18, and then they convinced me that this was a law and I'd be arrested if I read a book I wasn't old enough for.

amyk936 Report

Final score:

26points

POST

Fish Fingers 1 year ago

We were the opposite with books, my family are all avid readers. One time in junior school my sister's reading book she brought from home caused the school to ask my mum to go in to talk about how they thought it was inappropriate for an 8yr old to be reading Agatha Christie. Mum pointed out that either she didn't understand it, so there was no problem, or she did understand it, so there was no problem. They had no answer to that

37points

#47

Had to check in every half hour growing up. It's a real shame the doctor waited till I moved out to prescribe mom xanax.

Pandaman0304 Report

Final score:

24points

POST

wifeofweasley 1 year ago

check in like "Hi Mom I'm still home" or what does that mean??

9points

#48

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow We could only eat 2 cookies at a time, and no more than 4 in a day.

I was living on my own for like a year abiding by this rule, until one day I was like, "man, I REALLY want three oreos, not two."

And I did it.

Edit-Let me take this opportunity to say that, had I eaten 3 every day, I would not be obese. Why? Because my parents did their best to provide me with a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner. I was also very active in sports and skateboarded as a hobby. Sure, learning portion control IS important. But learning to have a health lifestyle in all aspects is worth more. Eating 2 cookies and not doing any exercise is not better than eating 3 and being active.

anon , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Brianna Tracy 1 year ago

Now that you’re an adult of course you can have as many cookies as you want…and you’re correct in assuming you wouldn’t have turned obese if you had more cookies considering your otherwise healthy lifestyle. However, controlling your child’s sugar intake and junk food consumption is actually a rather normal thing for a parent to do…it’s okay to have limitations.

11points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

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Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#49

My mom never let me eat any push pops, ring pops, etc.

She said she did it because she didn't want pedophiles getting bad ideas. I always thought it was weird.

GodDamnYou_Bernice Report

Final score:

23points

POST

Joi Cain 1 year ago

This one, like so many of these, are oddly specific.

14points

#50

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow My mom has set prices that are a "deal" for produce, and we could never buy anything more expensive than that price. Grapes had to be less than $1.19 a lb. Corn had to be at least 6 for $1. It wasn't until I was well into adulthood that I realized I could buy whatever I damn well pleased no matter what the price.

Interestingly, her "deal" prices haven't changed since I was a kid in the 80's.

shelbyknits , Michael Burrows Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Mulberry Juice 1 year ago

Where the hell does she get food from then? Does inflation not exist where she lives??

31points

#51

Not me but my friend. His mom made him take her on "dates" to dinner or movies or whatever. Now in his 30s he found out from his sisters that she has histrionic personality disorder and what she was doing is known as "covert incest." It sparked a reexamination of his entire life, leading to him converting from Baptist to atheist. He has a master's degree in theology.

CttCJim Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Patti Vance 1 year ago

while i am sure that there are moms with that 'covert incest' issue i used to take my son on "dates" to practice good manners as a gentleman. being a single parent there wasn't a man to teach him some of the ettiquette of being a gentleman such as opening doors, holding chairs, etc. fortunately, my dad could help with some of the more intimate information when he was not deployed overseas but other than him it was just me, my mom, and grandmom. i am sure that single dads have similar kinds of issues when raising daughters. you do what you have to do for raise a good man. guess i did okay as he treated his girlfriends w/respect and cherishes his wife.

8points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

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“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#52

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow I would get grounded if u were a minute late or more. A week per minute.

Example: I would be told I could go to my buddy Ty's house till 7 and I got back at 7:03 grounded for 3 weeks. No friends, no video games, other things were taken.

They also were very conservative and when I reiterated things they said like presidential choices and what not they would ask why and if it was just things they said or opinions they spouted, they told me I should think for myself and do some research because they don't want to raise sheeple. So I mean I think even if they were to harsh for somthings I'm pretty thankful for my parents. Also I'm never late now.

GreaKnight , Kindel Media Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Helena 1 year ago

Yuck

14points

#53

My parents refused to let me go to an r&b concert with friends because they thought the black people would riot if they saw white kids listening to "their music"

Final score:

22points

POST

Kenneth McCartney 1 year ago

What a way to keep racism alive!

32points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

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French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#54

Had to go to church 4 times a week to set an "example". Anytime I asked to go out with friends to do something that would have mixed genders or could be construed as a party, I was asked "Would Jesus do something like that?"

Final score:

21points

POST

Hotdogking 1 year ago

Fun fact, Jesus hung out with a prostitute quite frequently. So joke’s on that mum

45points

sciencestolemywords Report

#55

We weren't allowed peace signs growing up. My mom remembers some speech from when she was a kid about how communism would come under the sign of peace so peace signs were banned in our house. Those troll figurines were banned too.

Final score:

21points

POST

Horst 1 year ago

This isn’t super related but one time when my class was taking a class picture for picture day I held up a peace sign and then the photographer said “No gang signs!”

10points

#56

I wasn't allowed in the basement. Turns out they were smoking weed down there.

PrincessPantyRaid Report

Final score:

19points

POST

John Shearer 1 year ago

Only one so far I agree 100% with

16points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

#57

We weren't allowed to sit on the cushions on the lounge. They were for display purposes only. We also had a sink that was never allowed to have any water in it. We called it the dry sink and it was a running gag with my friends and I. We gave my mum so much s**t for it lol.

Levis_Dad Report

Final score:

19points

POST

perfect pikachu 1 year ago

that is one weird parent... why have a sink that you dont put water in???

5points

See Also on Bored Panda

Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#58

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow The kitchen is closed at 9 p.m.

Final score:

19points

POST

Carol Emory 1 year ago

We had this rule in the house. Ours closed at 8pm. But it was because my mother was very obsessed with having a spotless kitchen. Even to the point that when she got into a car accident in which she had to be cut out of the car, she still, with a broken foot, broken ribs and fractured shoulder blade, would hobble into the kitchen and complain if there were any crumbs on the counter.

20points

#59

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Had to eat cheese strings the same way you might eat a banana, with the plastic still on the bottom half, just taking bites off the top

I just wanted to make a Wacky Wildthing™

Mr_Nexxus , Chris Hsia Report

Final score:

18points

POST

KJ 1 year ago

What a strange rule to enforce, what difference does it make to anyone!

16points

#60

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow Okay so my parents were pretty normal BUT
I had this one friend who was never, under any circumstances, allowed to sleep on the livingroom couch and if she did she would be punished. It was so f*****g bizarre and I never understood why because it wasn't a formal livingroom, we were allowed to hang out in there as much as we wanted but if she ever happened to fall asleep on the couch and her parents found her there the next morning, it was game over and I would be sent home and she was grounded!!!! From what I understood this rule stood even when friends weren't over and the only place she was ever allowed to sleep was in her bed, or else.

WAT?!

shmimeathand , cottonbro studio Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Vicki Doggurl 1 year ago

Maybe she was a bed wetter?

14points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#61

My dad used to make my sister and I rake leaves in our woods.. our f*****g WOODS!!

JustaRegularShow Report

Final score:

17points

POST

Wintermute 1 year ago

Don't let Donald Trump hear about this one.

8points

#62

Oh where to start?! My sister and I would secretly refer to my stepdad as Hitler, so that will give you an indication of where this is going.

- Washcloths were 100% mandatory when showering; soap or body wash didn't work as well unless it was on a washcloth. (He would check to make sure the washcloth was wet after I would leave the bathroom)

- Socks weren't allowed to be worn in the house. We had hardwood floors and apparently wearing socks on hardwood floors creates holes in your socks. Shoes and bare feet were acceptable.

- Sitting. We would get in sooo much trouble if we were sitting "incorrectly" in chairs. I'll never forget when he yelled at a friend of mine for putting her leg up on the arm of our lazy boy recliner.

- We had to pay taxes from our allowance. I clearly remember fighting and retaliating against this one. I think this rule only lasted about a year.

- We had one of those big trampolines and none of my friends were allowed to be on it without a written consent/liability waiver signed by their parents. I remember my mom printing them out and I would give them to my friends if I knew they were coming over.

- No sleeping in past 8AM on weekends. Ever.

I know there are tons more, but I'm sure I've blocked them out for obvious reasons. I always knew his behavior wasn't normal, but as a kid I just kind of dealt with it. I've had lots of therapy since so all good!

Soundsystems Report

Final score:

17points

POST

Tunk 1 year ago

Another mother letting some dude rule her kids. The wash cloths should of sent him sailing out the door.

13points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

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Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#63

Being grounded from the library.

My stepdad would hide my library card if he found it in the washer. I had a bad habit of leaving it in my jean's pocket.

He also constructed a locked electrical type panel in his bedroom closet that controlled all of the various tv and phone lines in the house. He would get pissed and turn them off. Eventually, I found his hiding spot for the key and would sneak and turn it on while he was at work.

bobbinwinder Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Lazy PANda (she/they) 1 year ago

I think people who do this (trying to stop their kid from reading) have like fragile masculinity or narcissistic tendencies and don’t want their kids growing up to be smarter than them. That’s my theory anyway :/

25points

#64

My parents were pretty normal but my cousins' mom had the following rules:

1. Once the bed was made no one could touch it, sit, lay, etc on it because it would get wrinkled.

2. Once they were showered and dressed they could only play on the "play rug".

3. They had to change to old clothes to eat so they wouldn't get the ones they had on dirty.

4. They couldn't leave the shower cabin/bath or the sink wet when they used the bathroom

and so on, she was insane.

stefaface Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Lara Verne 1 year ago

Some people are "clean freaks" to extent where it become mental disorder.

14points

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

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College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#65

as a girl, I had to have long hair. my dad lost his.mind when I cut it short at 14. I spent all of my 20's with short hair. I'm 33 and it's long for the first time in like 18 years.

Final score:

16points

POST

Xenon 1 year ago

I had to put my hair up to eat at the table. Hair near food grossed my father out. Simple enough to comply.

8points

#66

We were not allowed to say these words: "shut up", fart, duh, and stupid.

My siblings and I are all adults now and my mother still gets angry when we say any of those things. She gets particularly upset when we ask the question, "[insert name] did you fart?"

I ask that question all the time now just to f**k with her.

fracasfoam Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Jan Rosier 1 year ago (edited)

Why not say "hey stupid, shut up and tell me if you farted", hoping the other one would reply "well du-uh"

21points

#67

'If you say "I'm bored" you're grounded' didn't matter when or where. Didn't matter if the power was out and the street was flooded, or if mom had dragged you to a jewelry shop.

boxster_ Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Vallentine 1 year ago

My little brother would have been grounded for so long that he would have lived and died there😂

10points

#68

I had to work in my parents factory from about age 11, physical work with a nail gun and everything. Both my sister and I (also a female).

I totally thought it was normal until I was about 15 and realised none of my friends did it so I got myself a different job so they couldn't insist I work. And so I got paid...

Don't get me wrong, my parents are amazing people and I had a great childhood but this is definitely questionable.

cassleej Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Jackie Lulu 1 year ago

Also illegal.....

18points

#69

I wasn't allowed to watch sad movies as a kid. When I was 3, I watched Charlotte's Web and was inconsolable after the spider died. My engineer father and German mother were baffled by this display of emotion, so they took away any movie that might make me sad.

My sister and I also weren't allowed to go into the bushes at the neighborhood park. My mother later explained that she found used needles and bullet casings there, and the park was a frequent spot for drive bys and gang shootouts.

katie3294 Report

Final score:

15points

POST

digitalin 1 year ago

Ok that second one is legit, though

30points

#70

When I had the day off school sick I had science and maths text books I had to do pages out of for several hours. I never understood why people would pretend to sick because of it

Carlos-D-Yeager Report

Final score:

15points

POST

perfect pikachu 1 year ago

That is just HORRIBLE...

4points

#71

I was not allowed to go anywhere alone until like 14. Seriously. Not even allowed to walk to school with friends. I assumed everyone was that sheltered until I started high school and realized it was just me.

cmanc Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Horst 1 year ago

Same, but a couple years earlier

0points

#72

My mom made us immediately wash, dry, and put away every single dish we used after eating. Seems like a reasonably thing to do if you're say living alone or with a roommate, but expecting the rule to be abided by in a house with FIVE children is pretty ridiculous. Also, we had a perfectly fine dishwasher that she taped off so we couldn't use it. Why.

ashleykee Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Judy Steelman 1 year ago

She crazy

3points

#73

Couldn't play video games unless it was the weekend. Seems normal at first, but then you realize that it just enforces bad habits: my brother and I would wait until the weekend, and then binge the ENTIRE weekend playing video games. And even if we didn't feel like it and though it would be better to do something else we always said "well we better play anyway because we won't be able to after"

Also what were we supposed to do when the homework was done? It isn't like homework took up the entire day

xxjxxx Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Bmo 1 year ago

I have this rule for my kids b/c they prioritize games over all their school work and chores. On occasion I'll allow them to play them but I usually make them wait until the weekend and even then they aren't allowed to binge them the entire time. When they get a little older and now how to prioritize their time then they can make these decisions for themselves.

2points

#74

My Dad is a very VERY introverted guy, and he never liked to be in large crowds. So unless it was a school event, I was forbidden from going to any large crowded events/places like the mall, concerts, sporting events.

I was told that this was for my own safety.

djfivenine11 Report

Final score:

13points

POST

nobody 1 year ago

Would this guy potentially have agoraphobia?

14points

#75

No running after you just eat -> you will get appendicitis

No sleeping with wet hair -> you will get lice

Good old fob science :')

blupblupblip Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Upstaged75 1 year ago

How would wet hair give you lice? That's dumb as hell.

11points

#76

Still persists in my home. I'm 25 years old, my siblings are even older and we can't say any curse words. Period. My mother also doesn't let anyone drink alcohol in our home..unless it's a bottle of wine on Christmas. No matter what age you are or even if you're not my parents child. They will treat you like a child. It's gotten so bad that I never really learned how to talk to adults on a normal level because I'm used to an authoritative life. I can be shy and feel awkward around other peoples parents and bosses. I'm so used to having overly conservative parents that I just never learned how to exist in a world of people that are old people. I know old people/parents talk s**t, drink and curse. But my parents are overly religious and think OTHER people are weird for being like that. We have told my mom she's not normal, she pretends to ignore what we said, is in denial and assumes everyone else we know is trash. So when I hear my boyfriend say f**k to his mom, my immediate reaction is to be like "Omg you said that to your mom?".

MissSara91 Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Got Myself 4 Pandas 1 year ago

They would not enjoy a night with my family then - mum practically pours gin down our throat while be swear like sailors - it's great fun

14points

#77

Dad had a problem with us kids saying bloody in front of him, for some reason he thought it was the worst swear word, had no issue with f**k or s**t.

yoboypapabless Report

Final score:

13points

POST

LK 1 year ago

When I was around 22, I was chatting with my Mam, and said something about a 'bloody finger'. She hit the roof, and told me not to use such language in her house. I apologised, and rephrased. "I was doing some woodworking, and a chisel slipped. It nicked the side of my finger. There was blood everywhere. You might even say I had a 'bloody finger'." She glared at me. I asked if I had used the adjective correctly. She replied that whilst I had used it correctly, she still didn't like the word. I nodded, and we moved on.

4points

#78

My parent's did not allow any type of toy guns in our house hold. They forbade those fire cracker guns, nerf guns, bb guns, and even water guns. I am now 22, and just ordered myself a nerf gun for this coming Christmas. Needless to say, it's going to be a magical Christmas this year. :^)

LeagueFanForLife Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Fish Fingers 1 year ago

Talking to my auntie recently, I found out that if anyone sent us any gun toys for Christmas, birthdays etc, my dad would just send them straight back without us even knowing about them. If one got through, he would just throw it away and us four kids would inevitably end up blaming each other for taking/ losing it. Found this out aged 43!

13points

#79

Never turning on the lights inside of a car while it's moving.

spaceislife Report

Final score:

12points

POST

Jill Rhodry 1 year ago

Everyone's parents had this rule.

34points

#80

I know a girl who had a kid in high school. Her parents wouldn't let her move out until she got married. My best friend is married to her.

RamsTPN Report

Final score:

12points

POST

#81

I was never allowed to go anywhere New Years Eve. Even in the morning. My mother was convinced that there were drunks on the road at 10 a.m. New Years Day was fine, but not on the Eve. I'm over 40 and she still complains if I go somewhere that I'm going to get hit by a drunk.

kendiara Report

Final score:

11points

POST

John Shearer 1 year ago

There is a fine line between worry and irrational fear

10points

#82

"I Thought It Was Normal For Too Long": 30 Weird And Disturbing Rules Parents Had Their Children Follow No wire hangers.

JangWolly , Michael Lehet Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Beck 1 year ago

I took all wire hangers out of my house years ago. I hate them.

13points

#83

I wasn't allowed to eat dunkaroos. This wasn't a blanket ban on junk food, my mother specifically had a grudge against dunkaroos.

I wasn't allowed to watch tv on week nights, all the way through high school. I remember it was a HUGE deal because my mom let me have one exception so I could watch the friends series finale live.

alter_ego77 Report

Final score:

11points

POST

AliJanx 1 year ago

My kids were not encouraged to eat Bugles because they made me want to gag. Bugles were not allowed in my house, but the kids could consume bucketfuls as long as Bugles didn't cross the threshold. Yes, this dates back to my childhood.

5points

#84

My parents made me and my brothers plug our phones in downstairs, at 8:00 every single night. They said it was to "make sure we don't stay up late", but because of that we stayed up later on other platforms like computers or playing games. I figured out my junior year that they only did that to snoop through our photos and messages. Kinda s****y.

Final score:

11points

POST

AliJanx 1 year ago

My kids knew that if they gave me a reason (sneaking out, etc) I would definitely snoop. So they never gave me a reason. Doesn't mean they didn't do anything wrong....but they didn't sneak out, didn't drink, didn't do anything to give me a REASON.

9points

#85

My siblings and I weren't allowed to wear shorts until the first day of Summer.

mmittens Report

Final score:

11points

POST

perfect pikachu 1 year ago

dude... what kind of parent does this?

4points

#86

I wasn't allowed to watch Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh, Ghostbusters, or anything that had to do with spiritism or the occult.

Yet somehow I got my mom and dad to watch the first two Twilight movies and I was allowed to watch anime. 12 year old me loved Black Butler. Hell yeah.

Edit: just realized it's not that strange. Just odd how they were lenient in certain things.

rucbarbird Report

Final score:

10points

POST

#87

I wasn't allowed to drink kool-aid because my mother said it was "unhealthy." Yet we could eat captain crunch, kraft mac and cheese, all types of desserts, and drink capri sun, soda, etc to our hearts content. Literally any other unhealthy thing was allowed or even encouraged. now that I'm older I think it was a racial thing tbh :/

kaninthebunny Report

Final score:

10points

POST

digitalin 1 year ago

Are there racial associations with kool-aid?

8points

#88

My parents would not let me buy music that had a parental advisory sticker on it.

But I could watch any R rated movie or play and mature rated video games and what not.

But for some reason they just hated music that had cursing in it lol, so I had to download all my music from kazaa and napster and listen to it with headphones

kklolzz Report

Final score:

10points

POST

digitalin 1 year ago

Napster. Those were the days.

11points

#89

My very liberal mother did not allow us to watch the Simpsons. Never really understood why.

Final score:

9points

POST

Upstaged75 1 year ago

It's not really a show for kids though....

4points

#90

My mom used to make us kids organize the silverware perfectly and would have a fit if it wasn't. This consisted of carefully balancing the small forks on top of each other in a stack, and stacking the large forks in their own stack right next to it. This also meant that if you opened the silverware drawer at normal speed the stack would all fall over and you just lost 5 minutes of your ~~time~~ life restacking forks and spoons. Total craziness.

We also had to pay a verbal homage to an imaginary being each night before we consumed food.

Ganjasauce Report

Final score:

8points

POST

digitalin 1 year ago

Mine were not nearly as bad as a lot here, but definitely some weird stuff that I thought was normal at the time. Like our bathroom window had only a half-curtain on it. It blocked visibility, but the light shone into my parents' bedroom and woke them up, so we could only use the heat lamp. Like, why didn't we just get proper blinds? Or not letting us drink from the "good" water glasses in case we broke them. In high school. Or not wanting us to eat at home alone (in high school) in case we choked. Lots of other "small" stuff that I didn't know was weird.

10points

#91

After he discovered that I'd been watching p*rn, my dad routinely checked my internet history. Not the browser history, the DNS logs, which only he had access to. I was confronted multiple times in high school because I'd been looking at content that he didn't think was suitable. I wasn't allowed to get a smartphone until college because it would have been possible to browse the internet unmonitored.

CaptainTudmoke Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Jonny westen 1 year ago

Omg people on this thread are annoying. That's a very normal thing. You weren't abused because you couldn't watch porn on the family computer as a child

9points

I'm a visual editor here at Bored Panda and I enjoy a good laugh. My work ranges from serious topics related to toxic work environments and relationship difficulties to humorous articles about online shopping fails and introvert memes. When I'm not at my work desk, checking if every single pixel is in the right place, I usually spend my free time playing board games, taking pictures, and watching documentaries

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Liucija Adomaite is a creative mind with years of experience in copywriting. She has a dynamic set of experiences from advertising, academia, and journalism. This time, she has set out on a journey to investigate the ways in which we communicate ideas on a large scale. Her current mission is to find a magic formula for how to make ideas, news, and other such things spread like a virus.

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What do you think ?

POST

Sue Bradley 1 year ago

So many of these posts are examples of abusive behaviour, so sad and sorry for all involved X

47points

Tams21 1 year ago

I didn't have the patience to get through all of them but from the ones I saw, I agree. Some of these parents have no business have children under their care.

20points

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Some people should NEVER have kids. Makes my blood boil. The abuse is horrible and I had to stop reading after a few. SH!T

29points

Lara M 1 year ago

So much untreated mental illness and generational trauma translating into child abuse. Absolutely horrifying.

17points

Seabeast 1 year ago

Too bad people aren't required to study and pass a test before being allowed to have children.

14points

Melissa Hollowell 1 year ago

I had to go through more scrutiny to get an abandoned dog from a rescue than 2 adults who decide to make a new human.

3points

El Dee 1 year ago

Control freaks abusing their own kids..

14points

heather7d@yahoo.com 1 year ago

Okay, I couldn’t even get through the first 10. This is one of the most horrific posts I’ve ever read on here. I hope all these people who grew up in these abusive situations are doing okay now. 😞❤️

11points

Got Myself 4 Pandas 1 year ago

As a parent I'm a firm believer in picking my battles - why would I make my life and theirs more difficult by making up stupid rules that have zero logic behind it? I'm pretty laid back as to what my kids are allowed but you can bet your a*s I expect them to be decent humans and show people respect - as to how much toilet roll I really don't care as long as I'm not dealing with skid marks, if they're hungry then eat, if your not then don't - I really don't understand why anyone has kids just to make their everyone's lives miserable - what is the freaking point?

10points

Elaine Morinelli 1 year ago

These posts are all examples of horrible physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I hope these people are ok today.

9points

Marion Goriak 1 year ago

This stuff is HORRIBLE. The only "rules" we have are: If you spill the salt, pour some over your left shoulder. If it's yellow, let it mellow, if it's brown, flush it down. Last one out locks the door. If you're going downstairs, take something down. If you're going up, take something up. If someone makes a particularly hilarious or incisive comment, you must high five them. No drinking directly from the jug. All these "rules" are agreed upon family rules, that are part of our family "folklore".

8points

Emmydearest 1 year ago

All these parents acting like they've been held ar gunpoint by their own future children's souls and been forced to conceive them. Uhm no, you deliberately decided to have kids (or your inconsiderate actions led to a pregnancy) and you have to raise them, provide for them, create for them a sane, healthy and positive environment, do everything for them to grow up and become functioning adults. Your kids shouldn't pay for their food or their basic hygiene products, feeding and clothing them is not a "gift" from your own part, that's not even the minimum standard... And those post, my friends are like the poster child (or whatever it's called) for the legalization of abortion, contraception and sex education. I wonder how many more kids will be born in a household where they are not wanted, maybe even hated... How will they be treated?

7points

Celina 1 year ago (edited)

Agree with you on how kids don't owe their parents anything, etc. but society does push women in the direction of "settling down and having children." Going against that is something that takes effort and strength that some people don't have or want to muster. Hell, some people don't even realize it's an option, partly because of how they were raised by their parents. It doesn't excuse the behavior but I would argue many if not most people don't even consiously sit down and decide to have and raise children. Which is a huge problem and needs ro change.

3points

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

My first Stepdad was obese. He weighed 320lbs, and he hated me and my brothers, but I made sure he took it out on me. He would hit my mom because she wouldn't give us up for adoption. He would quickly burn me with his cigars, slap me for no reason and call me stupid and useless. He would stand on my back, crushing me. I lit a cigar he was holding When my youngest brother was born, his biological son, he got even nastier. He would punch me and slap me. On one occasion, hit put my hand in the gas cooker ring while it was lit because I passed him his lighter. I think I had coined the phrase Fat B*st*rd before Chubby Brown or Mike Myers. I also suffered from rage issues. I still do. I avoid fights and conflict because I escalate quickly and become very violent. Luckily, it triggers in defence and I never start a fight. One day, he kicked me over at the top of the stairs at home and jumped on my back. I snapped and stood straight up. I was 11 at the time, and he fell down the stairs.

6points

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

He saw me screaming as I leapt down the stairs at him with both fists balled up and moved out of the way. The neighbour came rushing in thinking someone had broken into our house and was attacking us. It only ended when my mom finally snapped and smashed a pottery chicken over his head on new years eve at a party we were throwing and told him to get the f*ck out and told everyone what he did and does. The stories I could tell you would make your blood boil. He's dead now. I had a party with my brothers. We had cake

13points

Steven Bennett 1 year ago

You have to study, pass a test, and get a license to become a doctor, a layer, or a teacher. You have to study, pass a test, and get a license to drive a car. In most cases, you have to undergo periodic re-licensing or recertification to show that your skills have remained current. Yet we have none of those requirements to become a parent, even though unqualified people have the potential to ruin their children's lives, and possibly pass that ruination down for generations. What is wrong with this picture?

4points

Dodo 1 year ago

I kinda think therapy should be mandatory during pregnancy and a few years of the child's life. Sometimes it's nobody's fault that they don't know better, but people can absolutely be taught what's good for children and what isn't.

2points

Maple Porkly 1 year ago (edited)

Wow, where to begin. 1. I wasn't allowed to date while living at home but I also couldn't move out until I was married. Figure that one out. 2. If I cooked anything, I had to clean up before eating it and if my brothers were hungry and I want eating the food they could help themselves even if I was washing so I could eat it. That translates to cold food or no food if any of my brothers were home. 3. I couldn't make phone calls unless a parent approved and they were on the other line listening. I never called anyone since the answer was normally no or they were too busy to monitor it. 4. No changing your hair without permission. 5. No borrowing other people's clothes. I couldn't buy my own either. 6. No sports except the girl ones and they had to take me if they had time which they never did. So I got a little chubby which they ridiculed me for. These are just what come to mind. I've suppresses most of my childhood. I think the reasons for that are obvious.

3points

Celia Gallardo 1 year ago

i grew up with an abusive, mentally ill mother that was basically a combination of all of the above. i'm 51 years old now and to this day i still sometimes get nightmares. i am so sorry for all the things these people have had to endure

3points

Jodie daubenmire 1 year ago

My heart goes out to all of these poor abused kids. I hope life is better.

2points

The Starsong Princess 1 year ago

As children, all food and drink had to be consumed sitting at the table except water. Only exception was special movie nights when we would have snacks and pop in front of the tv. As an adult, I still eat every meal sitting at the kitchen table. Keeps the house clean and the furniture unstained so I mostly think it’s a good rule.

2points

barbora_malcova 1 year ago

Pinching. Like constantly. There was nothing inappropriate about it, just stupid. Father would pinch our forearms or lower back and simply thought it was funny we - me and my sister - squeeled and whimpered, thought it for some kind of prank. He came from a very abusive family which explains he never had a chance to see how to treat people nice, and he was otherwise mostly okay, but we never got this annoying habit out of him. Disgusted me so much I still don't do well with people behind my back or touching these parts of me (though otherwise I love to hug and cuddle) and myself, I never touched a person - or a pet as a matter of fact - otherwise than softly and with their consent.

2points

M S 11 months ago

This was Truly Sad to read & Breaks my heart 💔 to know so many have been hurt , traumatized and robbed of a childhood that was not Wonderful. So much Mental Illness & Cult behaviors. In tears I read this 😢 wishing there was a way for this disgusting reproduction of sick humans acting less than. 😔 it's horrible secrets to carry. And I an so very sorry. This is not even the tip of the truth. Evil effing people These are some truth we have learned , but Much More than we could ever know is out there happening Right now.💔

1point

Magenta McDonald 11 months ago

Not all parents can or should have kids But all kids need to have a good parent

1point

Sara Anderson 1 year ago

Some people evidently have kids just so they have minions to boss around. That's so gross.

1point

Andreas Prince 1 year ago

Reading these makes me appreciate my "normal" parents even more.

1point

pp horrendous 1 year ago

this is so f**k up

1point

Melissa Hollowell 1 year ago

My mother, of blessed memory, was by and large great. However, if I went to a friend's house after school with a SAHM, I would call to let her know and she would always tell me to go back home....to an empty house....and wait there for hours for someone else to come home. I wish I could ask her what that was all about.

0points

Belladonna.dreams 1 year ago

I don't understand how these people had the energy to be like this with kids.

0points

Brian Droste 1 year ago

This post wasn't what I was expecting. A?lot of these were abusive. Reed them all.

0points

Michelle E Parker 1 year ago

I don't let my kids in case there's a p3do there and no supervision-

0points

PissedOffProfessor 1 year ago

My brother and sister and I couldn't even be in the yard when he cut grass. I didn't cut grass the first time until I almost 30. When a new theatre came to town, it was near our local airport. We could never go to that theatre because it was in the landing path of planes. (Funny thing, though, years after he passed, a small plane did crash right next to the airport.) I could go on and on, but those are my top two! I will admit, however, it has made me much more safety conscious, even though I have an irrational fear of fire and checking the mail on just about any road!

0points

Patti Vance 1 year ago

feel so sad reading these comments. while i would never call myself a perfect parent i could never institute most of these rules. i have one son. because i was aware that other parents didn't always supervise their kids i made my home welcoming for his friends as i could keep an eye on them. rules were simple: no alcohol/drugs/smoking/cussing. respect my house-don't break it. respect my dogs. pick up after yourself including son's room if you helped mess it up. and, just because i wanted to make sure they respected my rules one silly one: if you have a penis then no earrings. it was always a secret chuckle to see the boys filing in while they removed their earrings and put them in their pockets. of all the boys that spent time in m home only one violated the rules which banned him from the house. he was a good kid, he was sorry but i had to be firm. his mom even called to see if i would rescind my decision but i had to keep as an example. sorry lenny-you were still a good kid

0points

simply.Taz 1 year ago

I feel sorry for Lenny. Could you not have just given him a temporary "grounding" from your house? Lol

1point

AnnaB Premium 1 year ago

Wow

0points

Paul Mitchell 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Seabeast 1 year ago

Probably not. Abusive controlling parents exist everywhere.

14points

Paul Mitchell 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

POST

Sue Bradley 1 year ago

So many of these posts are examples of abusive behaviour, so sad and sorry for all involved X

47points

Tams21 1 year ago

I didn't have the patience to get through all of them but from the ones I saw, I agree. Some of these parents have no business have children under their care.

20points

Caro Caro 1 year ago

Some people should NEVER have kids. Makes my blood boil. The abuse is horrible and I had to stop reading after a few. SH!T

29points

Lara M 1 year ago

So much untreated mental illness and generational trauma translating into child abuse. Absolutely horrifying.

17points

Seabeast 1 year ago

Too bad people aren't required to study and pass a test before being allowed to have children.

14points

Melissa Hollowell 1 year ago

I had to go through more scrutiny to get an abandoned dog from a rescue than 2 adults who decide to make a new human.

3points

El Dee 1 year ago

Control freaks abusing their own kids..

14points

heather7d@yahoo.com 1 year ago

11points

Got Myself 4 Pandas 1 year ago

10points

Elaine Morinelli 1 year ago

These posts are all examples of horrible physical, emotional and sexual abuse. I hope these people are ok today.

9points

Marion Goriak 1 year ago

8points

Emmydearest 1 year ago

7points

Celina 1 year ago (edited)

3points

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

6points

Cyber Returns 1 year ago

13points

Steven Bennett 1 year ago

4points

Dodo 1 year ago

2points

Maple Porkly 1 year ago (edited)

3points

Celia Gallardo 1 year ago

3points

Jodie daubenmire 1 year ago

My heart goes out to all of these poor abused kids. I hope life is better.

2points

The Starsong Princess 1 year ago

2points

barbora_malcova 1 year ago

2points

M S 11 months ago

1point

Magenta McDonald 11 months ago

Not all parents can or should have kids But all kids need to have a good parent

1point

Sara Anderson 1 year ago

Some people evidently have kids just so they have minions to boss around. That's so gross.

1point

Andreas Prince 1 year ago

Reading these makes me appreciate my "normal" parents even more.

1point

pp horrendous 1 year ago

this is so f**k up

1point

Melissa Hollowell 1 year ago

0points

Belladonna.dreams 1 year ago

I don't understand how these people had the energy to be like this with kids.

0points

Brian Droste 1 year ago

This post wasn't what I was expecting. A?lot of these were abusive. Reed them all.

0points

Michelle E Parker 1 year ago

I don't let my kids in case there's a p3do there and no supervision-

0points

PissedOffProfessor 1 year ago

0points

Patti Vance 1 year ago

0points

simply.Taz 1 year ago

I feel sorry for Lenny. Could you not have just given him a temporary "grounding" from your house? Lol

1point

AnnaB Premium 1 year ago

Wow

0points

Paul Mitchell 1 year ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Seabeast 1 year ago

Probably not. Abusive controlling parents exist everywhere.

14points