Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
8Kviews
Hey Pandas, What Was Something Your Parents Did That You Thought Was Normal? (Closed)
Hey pandas! What was something your parents did that you thought was normal?
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
I though parents hitting their kid was normal. News flash, it was NOT normal, and possibly illegal.
Final score:
55points
RELATED:
#2
Drank every day of my life. My mom had a triple bypass at 56 and said it was the first time she hadn’t had a drink since 1973.
I am the only person in my immediate family who is not an alcoholic. You can break the cycle.
Final score:
51points
#3
My parents (mostly my father) makes fun of me on a daily basis, wether it’s about how I look, how much I weigh, my smarts. He thinks it’s funny I guess but idk maybe it is normal and I’m just being annoying like he says.
Final score:
37points
#4
I thought getting hit when you did a small mistake was normal.. I think its illegal :/. I cant wait to be 18 to move out of this hell!
Final score:
37points
#5
Work several jobs and still barely have enough to support your 4 kids. Dad would take care of breakfast and take us to school because mum was already at work. Mum would pick us up from school, take us home, feed us a snack before heading out to her other job. Dad would come home and "help" with our homework (we didn't realise at the time that he did not have an education so was actually learning along with us), mum would come back as dad was heading out and make us dinner before leaving us with her sister to go out to her night job.
I'm sure my parents never saw each other for more than half an hour a day. and still, somehow, found time to make sure they saw every school play, every sports match and every achievement ceremony!
The only exception was Sunday, They would both make the time to spend [most] of the afternoon with us.
Final score:
35points
#6
I was pretty stupid when I was younger. My Mom would lie about her age to us, and it didn't seem to bother me she kept being 27 for 4 years.
Final score:
34points
#7
Dining in restaurants- sitting an hour in the cocktail lounge whilst parents were drinking at the bar - bro and I were seated at a table eating cocktail peanuts and drinking “Shirley Temples” - then they would seat us at a separate table across the restaurant where they could see us, but they never dined with us. Btw, this was the sixties. I had no idea other families didn’t do this.
Final score:
33points
#8
My mom was raised as a hippie back when, so growing up she'd walk around naked. She gave zero f***s. I was so used to it I never knew it wasn't normal until I spent the night at a friends house and thought it was weird that her mom had clothes on. To clarify, only my mom, not my dad and yes she covered herself when my friends started coming over. But I was so young I had no idea that wasn't a thing in every household. lol. And no, I do not walk around naked, however, if I had my mom's body I might. She's almost 70 but she looks like she's 40 and works out daily, she's rockin that s**t! And no she doesn't still walk around naked, at least I don't think.
Final score:
33points
Jenna Oriol 3 years ago
I think thats awesome that your mom respects her body that way. hooray for giving no f*cks!
#9
Crack and eat the ends off chicken bones and suck the marrow out after eating the meat. My dad was taught this by his mom, and he was the first one who told me I could do it, and to this day, although neither of my parents do it, I still do. It's only now that I realize that my Oma, who was a little girl during the second World War, had passed on knowledge to future generations that should be used when you are starving. Luckily for me, I've never gone hungry, but I still do this, out of habit. Kinda makes you think, doesn't it?
Final score:
30points
#10
I thought you only passed if you got an A,
Needless to say, my parents saying that really put on pressure for me to "pass"
Final score:
29points
#11
I had two moms.
Final score:
29points
Easily Excitable Panda 3 years ago
And that *should be* considered normal, because it IS. Don't listen to anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. I know that's easier said that done, but your moms are brave. I hope you are proud of them!
#12
My parents cook homemade dinners every night from scratch... didn't know that this wasn't the norm until I had a sleep over with some friends at my house and they commented on how good my mom and dad's cooking was (we were just having some simple naan bread pizza).
I still can't fathom not eating fast food instead of fish tacos, grilled chicken, or Korean beef. We also all eat at the dinner table, which is something aparently not every family does.
Final score:
28points
angelica H 3 years ago
same almost every night my parents make a good, hearty, home cooked meal. and I thought this was normal until about third grade, when I brought leftovers to school for lunch everyone was like "oh my god what is that smell? it smells so good."
#13
my parents actually get mad at me for wearing a mask in a store in the middle of a f*****g pandemic. I once forgot and my dad had an extra so I asked to use it and we argued about my using it for 5 mins before he gave in and let me have it. My parents are also antivaxers can’t wait until I can get vaccines. They are also strong Christians and won’t let me seek help for my anxiety because praying is obviously the cure
Final score:
27points
aesthetic.baddie27 3 years ago
They are going at everything so wrong. I'm a Christian too, and this makes Christians look so bad. Sure, we may not like wearing masks, but we have to, if we had the choice we wouldn't...but it's not worth arguing for that long over. My family is antivaxers too, but hold nothing against people who get vaccinated of course. I have anxiety as well, and as amazing as prayer is, God, put people on the earth to help us. They aren't going at this the right way, and I'm sorry you have to deal with that.
#14
I thought it was normal for little kids to make dad jokes 😂🤦
Final score:
26points
#16
I thought yelling and screaming was normal when you messed up on homework and/or an assignment. ;-;
Final score:
23points
Turtleturleturtle 3 years ago
Lmao why are people saying this is normal?! It’s common, but in no way should it be considered normal.
LesAnimaux 3 years ago
It is not. It may be common, but it isn't normal. Hunny.
Load More Replies...
Kane_The_Corathian (Submission author) 3 years ago
For any confusion its my parents yelling at me but also be being frustrated with myself on how much of an idiot I am.
#17
My parents had certain dinners for every night of the week, Monday was chicken, Tuesday was tacos, Wednesday was porkchops, etc.
Final score:
21points
#18
Everyone doing their share of the chores without complaining. I was very surprised to see how much of a hassle it seemed to be in some families to get the kids do their share of the housework.
Final score:
21points
#19
Thinking that only the women do all of the chores in the house while the men relax and have the job of “providing for the family and giving protection.” Also being hit/having hair pulled when I didn’t get a good grade in school (Meaning that I needed to get an A+ in every class).
Final score:
20points
#20
slamming doors and saying **** you. horrible. both hurt my ears
Final score:
16points
#21
That letting my cousin ride on my bike handles was normal. Good old 70's!
Final score:
16points
#22
constantly invading my privacy and personal space, and not respecting me when I asked them not to touch me without my permission.
Final score:
16points
#23
i though when they curse/swear/cuss it was normal
Final score:
15points
#24
My mom can speak in tongues (in the pentecostal Christian context). She's done it my whole life, I thought it was normal. Wasn't until my late teens that I learned it's uniqueness.
Final score:
15points
Easily Excitable Panda 3 years ago
My bf was shocked to learn I was Catholic, because he thought we all walk around in heavy cloaks with hoods.
#25
My parents did not believe that traveling meant "seeing the sights". Trips were spent in the car ... period.
Final score:
15points
Thomas Afonso 3 years ago
I would say its a great experience hanging out in the car eating snacks and chatting, but I would hate for that to be all.
#26
if i got good grades i could be paid for it. I havent gotten money yet
Final score:
14points
Mustn’t eat the mango 🥭 3 years ago
Don’t try to only have good grades if you are being payed for it, do it so you can be successful and make yourself happy.
#27
Sitting down as a family with a home cooked semi fancy meal, and, for christians, praying before dinner and at night. I am basing this off my cousins and ex friend, who both at stuff like mac and cheese every night, walked in and ate as they pleases, and I never saw any of them pray once (all of them are christian) unless they were at my house and we prayed.
Final score:
14points
#28
They had "the talk" with me when I was around 8 so that I wouldn't be panicking too much if I got my . early.
Final score:
14points
Nikki Sevven 3 years ago
I did the same with my daughter, and she was early. I didn't want her to have to repeat my experience, which was, "OMG, I'm bleeding to death!!"
#29
i thought that parents abusing their child was normal and forcing them to be someone that their really not..... if this happens to you GET HELP i made the mistace of not getting help for this
Final score:
14points
#30
My Dad was away for work a lot when I was younger and I hardly ever got to see him. I thought that was completely normal, then I went to my friends house and found out their Dad was home all the time! I was amazed.
Final score:
14points
Devon Barnes-Balmer 3 years ago
Same, my dad was away three or four days a week. I remember picking him up from the airport more then I remember eating meals with him.
#31
Getting lectures on really big and important world issues... when I was like 5. For example, My parents in the car on the way home from church talking to me and my brother about politics and economics, and like depression. Also, I thought being transphobic and homophobic was normal. haha yeah, that didn't work out. *I'm nonbinary and gay*
Final score:
13points
#32
I grew up in a small town based of transcendental meditation and from 5-7 every evening all the parents and adults went into their rooms or the meditation hall and left their kids to their own devices. As long as we were quiet we could do whatever. It was normal then.. kind of weird now leaving kids alone like that.
Final score:
12points
#34
My mom would point out misbehaving children in public and say, loudly, "Aren't you glad you don't act that way?" This was in the 70s, so I guess that makes my mom an O.G. shamer. FTW! (Not. Soooooo not)
Final score:
11points
angelica H 3 years ago
my mom did this all the time, especially when both me and my sister were with her.
#35
when i was little i thought everyone ate with their hands, turns out not.
Final score:
11points
#36
Sooo many words my parents mispronounced until I started to read; it was Vienna Sausages not
Vy-Eena Saw-sids.
Final score:
11points
#37
Giving you nicknames. Like Dora.
Final score:
10points
Anonymous Panda 3 years ago
Is that not normal? I am only called by my nickname except for teachers.
#38
we used to eat on the floor even though we had a table, apparently it gives you better posture
Final score:
9points
#39
The whole family singing Broadway show tunes while washing the dishes, and the oldest assigning roles if there was any choreography. Not too many broken dishes..
Final score:
9points
#40
I thought all parents were super against the Star Wars prequels. I was raised being told that they were awful and I had no idea that people actually liked them.
Final score:
8points
#41
when i was younger i thought it was normal to get my hair pulled for stupid things... yeah it isn’t
Final score:
8points
#42
Proving i am worthy of my fathers love.
Final score:
8points
#43
skip zooms on my computer for school work, god plz save me
Final score:
7points
#44
Found out when I was 8 yo...Most people butter both slices of bread when making a sandwich.
We only buttered one slice in our family.
Final score:
7points
#45
My mom seems to think that hard cider is good for kids!
Final score:
7points
Aura the rain/seawing hybrid (Submission author) 3 years ago
I also thought that leaving the door open in the bathroom was normal!
#46
I thought going to church and believing in sky daddy was normal................. then I dropped my imaginary friend from childhood, but the adults kept playing.
Final score:
7points
#47
Doing whatever ur parents tell u to do no matter whether or not I want to... guilt tripping as “presenting the facts”... facing physical and emotional abuse if you don’t do whatever they want you to...gaslighting ... under the name of “preparing you to make good decisions and step out of your comfort zone”
Final score:
7points
Elizabeth Molloy 3 years ago
F**k that s**t! Remember you will only be there for a short time. The rest of your life is yours to live and you have decades ahead of you.
#48
As a kid I thought that adults can't eat candy. It seemed natural that a person drops the habit when they become adults. Not all people like sweets, but my parents behaved like the whole concept of candy didn't exist to them.
Final score:
7points
#49
Searching my room when I wasn't there.. reading my letters, going through my desk drawers. I sort of knew my mum did this, just didn't acknowledge it really because didn't want it to be true. I thought this was what mum's do. I started writing a diary for multiple times but always ended up destroying what I had written because I didn't feel safe. I was much older before I realized that all that was not ok - I actually never had privacy in my home when growing up. I admit I am a bit traumatized by this. My children are now 14 and 16 and they have absolute right to privacy here. Their rooms are ther private areas, I will not violate their right to have something of their own, their rooms, their stuff. We have talked about this and they know that as long as they earn my trust (not messing up in a big way), they have it.
Final score:
7points
Grace and Lucy 3 years ago
I never felt safe keeping a journal growing up. Trust issues with my sisters. Never invaded my kids private things because violating their trust breaks down the relationship. Reading their private writings allows that burden to live in your head f-o-r-e-v-e-r.
#50
I thought that being hit, screamed at, and parents arguing every night was normal up until like 6th grade when i got pulled out of school to get yelled at and my friends noticed. then i moved in with my dad so smoking pot is the new norm? idk, not that bad but always smelling like cigs is kinda annoying.. hey but the brightside is that i only have 4 more years:/
Final score:
6points
#51
Being manipulated and verbally abused, one of my parents favorite tricks is to say horrible mean s**t to us then because it Doesn’t leave any “physical marks of abuse on us” they get away with it. I left that house hold but now my father who says he’s better then my mother is emotionally suffocating and toxic. =/
Final score:
5points
Stephanie Did It 3 years ago
Please Please get help. Talk to an adult you trust that can help you cope with and/or safely escape such abuse. THERE IS HELP FOR YOU.
#53
I agree with Monolicle Potato...
I thought hitting a child was normal...
And also withholding food...
Final score:
4points
#54
My Mom made peanut butter and mayonaise sandwiches. My sister and I hated them. I still cringe at the bizarre taste. Yet for some reason, we'd ask for it now and again.
Final score:
3points
#55
My mom earning more than my dad.
Final score:
1point
#56
I was the oldest of 3 boys. The sperm donor who created me went to Germany after I was born (he was in the Air Force). My mother returned to her home. Two years after I was born, my mother gave birth to my brother by anothere man.
A few years later my other brother was born, from the sperm donor who created me (he abandoned us shortly after).
When I was in elementary school, I had a different last name than the middle brother. He was also taller even though I was 2 years older.
So I guess it was normal to have parents who screwed around on each other and have lids out of wedlock. This was the 60s, the decade of free love
Final score:
1point
What do you think ?
Elizabeth Molloy 3 years ago
This is one of the reasons I don't have children; I don't want to be a shitty parent, like mine.
WillemPenn 3 years ago
My mother had basically disowned me for not having grandkids. Doesn't get that I didn't want to be a shitty parent like my dad. And her cutting me off completely because of that makes her a pretty shitty parent too. Confirms why I don't have kids. (Though I still think I would do a better job than her or my dad, or half the parents out there.)
Load More Replies... WillemPenn 3 years ago
I was taught that "teasing" (ie bullying, hazing behavior) was how you showed love (eg locking ppl in closets until they cried, etc.) I was taught there must be something wrong with me because I didn't have a girlfriend and had not had sex by nine years old. (!!!) And I still do not understand how ppl describe "Mommie Dearest" as over the top, unrealistic. There were so many scenes in that movie that mirrored my childhood.
Jennifer Bugaj Koehler 2 years ago
I thought everyone lived with their grandparents. I thought everyone went on fancy vacations at Xmas. Had a pool. Had collector rooms in their basement. Turns out I was blessed growing up. I also had my grandparents to teach me morals and teach me right from wrong and about God and one would think this is normal as it should be. Sadly many people today are deprived of love and people who care about them. People have kicked God out and that is why the world is at turmoil and freedoms are being taken. People fear men and government and man made illness more than they do God. They worship scientists and musicians and actors and politicians and wealthy business men, money and substances. To me THAT is NOT normal!
Elizabeth Molloy 3 years ago
This is one of the reasons I don't have children; I don't want to be a shitty parent, like mine.
WillemPenn 3 years ago
My mother had basically disowned me for not having grandkids. Doesn't get that I didn't want to be a shitty parent like my dad. And her cutting me off completely because of that makes her a pretty shitty parent too. Confirms why I don't have kids. (Though I still think I would do a better job than her or my dad, or half the parents out there.)
Load More Replies... WillemPenn 3 years ago
I was taught that "teasing" (ie bullying, hazing behavior) was how you showed love (eg locking ppl in closets until they cried, etc.) I was taught there must be something wrong with me because I didn't have a girlfriend and had not had sex by nine years old. (!!!) And I still do not understand how ppl describe "Mommie Dearest" as over the top, unrealistic. There were so many scenes in that movie that mirrored my childhood.
Jennifer Bugaj Koehler 2 years ago
I thought everyone lived with their grandparents. I thought everyone went on fancy vacations at Xmas. Had a pool. Had collector rooms in their basement. Turns out I was blessed growing up. I also had my grandparents to teach me morals and teach me right from wrong and about God and one would think this is normal as it should be. Sadly many people today are deprived of love and people who care about them. People have kicked God out and that is why the world is at turmoil and freedoms are being taken. People fear men and government and man made illness more than they do God. They worship scientists and musicians and actors and politicians and wealthy business men, money and substances. To me THAT is NOT normal!
Related on Bored Panda
