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Growing up, you've always looked at your parents as if they were these pure and innocent puffballs. No parent could do anything evil in their children's eyes – however, when those children grow up and begin assessing things with their somewhat world-molded mindsets, the pink glasses get put aside. You realize that your parents are humans with real emotions, scars and their own personalities, just like you are.

Some might've experienced past traumas; some deal with anxieties that they've actively been trying to hide from you, and as it turns out, more than some have secrets – it's just a matter of how intense those secrets are.

Someone on Reddit asked fellow users: "what horrid secrets do your parents have and are oblivious to you being aware of?". The post received almost 20.5K upvotes and 9.3K worth of comments where people took turns exposing their parents' deepest and darkest secrets. Do you think you know your parents well? 

More info: Reddit

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#1

“What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) Not some horrid secret, but I sometimes hear my dad talking behind closed doors to my mom who passed away suddenly years ago. He typically tells her our life updates and that he misses her. My sister got married recently and I overheard him from outside his room telling my mom how beautiful my sister looked and how great her husband is that she never had the chance to meet. About how they had always spoke of that moment, watching their child marry, and he wished she was there with him to see us. We rarely speak about my mom at home, but 14 years later she's still very alive in his heart. It's gut wrenching at times.

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    #2

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My divorced parents are both cheating on their current spouses.

    With each other.

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    #3

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) When my grandfather passed away he left approx 140k$ american in a trust for me. It wasn't to be touched until after my parents passed away so that it could gain as much money as possible from the investments he had arranged. (My grandfather was an oil tycoon in PA and no one in the family knew it until after he passed away.) I got a call from the bank one day asking how I'd like to handle closing the accounts. I had no idea why, but apparently my parents had been taking medical bills from themselves and altering them to have my name on them. Then submitting them to the bank to be "reimbursed" for paying my medical bills. They had bled the trust completely dry in less than 5 years. They used the money to remodel their home. I don't think I have any recourse. But whatever. Im 35 and I have my own retirement. It just makes me mad that they would steal from me like that.

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    nikkisevven avatar
    Nikki Sevven
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Legally, you have every right to sue your parents for failing to fulfill their duties as trustees.

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    #4

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My dad used to talk about growing up really poor, having to get food from food banks, etc. It’s one of the reasons that now that he owns his own business, he donates to food banks and all sorts of charities all the time. Paying it back.

    Well, it turns out that my fathers father owned a massive construction company, and made millions of dollars (in the 50s and 60s). My uncle was selling massive amounts of cocaine, and got busted. My grandfather bankrupted himself paying off judges and lawyers and all that to keep my uncle out of jail for most of his life. That’s why my dad grew up with nothing.

    He has no idea that I know.

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    mwangim62 avatar
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I honestly wouldn't bail out my own brother if he did s**t like that when I have a successful company he would work at...

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    #5

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) That my grandma has a picture of my mom. My parents separated when I was like two. My dad told my grandma to get rid of everything about her and we never spoke about her growing up. My grandma showed me the only picture she kept that my dad doesn't know about. It's the only picture of her I've ever seen

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    vickyz avatar
    Vicky Z
    Vicky Z
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Even though we don't know the backstory i believe that kids have every right to know about both parents when they ask

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    #6

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) Found a naked polaroid of my dad in a box full of tiny lingerie that apparently used to fit my mum.. Kudos to mum, but ugh.

    And that's the same day I learnt not to look through other people's s**t..

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    vickyz avatar
    Vicky Z
    Vicky Z
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The weird moment when you realise that your parents have a sexual life (maybe better than yours)🙄

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    #7

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) When my sister and I were kids my dad would sell his valuable football cards and other stuff at pawn shops so he could afford presents for us for Christmas, Easter, etc. (totally not necessary, Dad, but I love you).

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    #8

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) When I was a child, we used to be semi-close to my dad's family. My grandparents came up (2+ hour drive) to talk to my parents about an "adult issue" and 10 year old me was told to stay in my room with the door shut. After that, we never spoke to them again, except for one letter that I got from them expressing sympathy when my other grandmother (who I was very close to) passed away. I had no idea what happened.

    Years later, I found a cousin on Facebook and we happened to go to the same college, so we met for coffee. I found out that the reason we no longer spoke was because my mom opened a whole bunch of credit cards and racked up a bunch of debt in my grandma's name that she never had any intention of paying back. My cousin and I kept it between us and she has no idea I know.

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    vickyz avatar
    Vicky Z
    Vicky Z
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have a question how is this possible? To have credit cards on someone else's name without consent?

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    #9

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My partner doesn't know he's adopted. His family doesn't know that I know either

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    vickyz avatar
    Vicky Z
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's not fair to not inform your child about the adoption!! And i don't even get why not say it! It's a really great action to adopt and it's not like you are going to lose your kid! The ones who raised the child are always the parents!!

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    #10

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My Mom was kidnapped. I don’t know any details, and it’s never come up. When I found out my Mom’s behavior my entire life completely made sense.

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    mwangim62 avatar
    Rijkærd
    Rijkærd
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What? Don't leave me hanging like that...theres a movie script hidden here somewhere

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    #11

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My mom had to do some soul searching for AA. She wrote a list called "life resentments" and Having Kids was the first bullet point. Found it while I was looking for my social security card to apply for my first job at 16... She kept it in a safe

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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This can sound cruel to you, but it may not be meant the way you look at it. You would be surprised how many parents feel this way, majority parents do feel that at some point. It can have many reasons but your mom was struggling and in that situation any parents would put having children as first point, or they'll keep lying, but you can't recieve help if you lie. It could be, that she kept it as reminder to be able to prevent those feelings...(thats usual from recoveries)

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    #12

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) When I was a kid my mom had "mole removal" surgery on her face, and came back and head to recover for weeks. Granted, she did have a mole removed on her face.... But miraculously her A's turned into D's. Crazy how that was a side effect of face surgery.

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    #13

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My mom does not know that I know she has been struggling with depression for years. My dad told me. It amazes me how much she has put up with over the years. Hard s**t even for someone without depression. Funny thing is for the longest time I considered my mom a very chill, happy-go-lucky person who wasn't easily frazzled. This came as a complete shock. I guess she is trying to protect me ? I'm in my mid twenties. It's f**ked up.

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    thomasbiorogue avatar
    Thomas Biorogue
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of us, especially those of us 70s kids, hide our depression.

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    #14

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) That my mom talks s**t about me to my siblings. It wasn't even my siblings that told me either. I overheard her talking to my brother on the phone one night. F**king b***h.

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    vickyz avatar
    Vicky Z
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's beyond horrible! A good advice would be to stay the hell away from everyone

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    #15

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) When I was 11, I accompanied my mom to a doctor's appointment. The doctor ran through my mom's medical history, and I heard her say, "and you got an abortion last January?" I was old enough to understand what the term meant (I don't think they thought I was), and honestly it shook me up for a while because I never saw it coming.

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    #16

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My father has a child from an affair fairly early in my parent's relationship. He's a fairly close family friend and I have no idea how no one else has noticed. He's the spitting image of my dad.

    Mum and Dad have said bits along the years about the affair. Hey I could be wrong but the timeline fits!

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    alex cosgrove
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    2 years ago

    This comment has been deleted.

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    #17

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My family has mafia associations.

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    mwangim62 avatar
    Rijkærd
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would you happen to know some guy by the name Parmigiano Mozza ?? Sold me expired cheese and when I went back the shop had been rebranded as a laundromat....

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    #18

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My mom didn't know she was pregnant until I was born

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    Rijkærd
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    2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I have encountered something parallel close to this with a colleague....I realised she had been pregnant when her SO called to say she'd had a baby and I should visit...I just thought she was on vacation

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    #19

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My parents wanted to separate after I was born due to my dads anxiety and violent temper. I only found out when I read one of my moms old diary and realized my dad wasn’t around when I was 2-3 years.

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    #20

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) I want to preface this by saying I was adopted. My dad was 18 and wanted one last romp with my mom (17) before shipping off to the military. This is where I come from. She decided to adopt me out so we could both have ect. He never stopped loving me or thinking about me. I haven't told my adoptive mom I know they hid these, and I may never.

    Yes, I know my bio dad. We have met and talked several times. We care about each other, but we don't get along. Mainly because he's a gun toating, God fearing Republican who voted Trump and I'm a liberal feminist (not radfem, but still) who volunteers at PP. Need I say more?

    No, I'm not mad at my adoptive parents. I love them very much, and I think my adoptive dad knew somehow that I would be the one to find those. I know my A mom and A dad are good people (A mom is a bit of a narcissist, but that's another story) and that they were thinking of my well being at the time. I don't think it's worth bringing up and starting a fight over because it was a long time ago and - as someone who had never had children - I have no idea what the whole situation was. I'm 31 now. What's done is done.

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    gwenchapman avatar
    RandomBeing
    RandomBeing
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Is there an image thats supposed to go along with this? I feel like I'm missing something.

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    #21

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) I found my dad's journal one of the entires is how he wished he never had a girl

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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    ...sorry for your dad regretting your existence but seriously what is it with people nosing about personal stuff?? I hate journals but if I found a random one I wouldn't want to open it leave alone reading.

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    #22

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) My dad cheated on his wife with my mom and then I was born. They were going to try to stay married but it got too hard.

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    Mica Silvia
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Confusing .. What got too hard and who was going to "try and stay married" ? Your Dad and his wife??

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    #23

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) Not my parents but my in laws.

    Their oldest kid does not belong to my father in law. I know be cause we are all blood donors. He is O neg and she us AB pos

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    J Baker
    J Baker
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    2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    But their parents could be AO and BO (A and B are dominant), and the kids could be AO, BO, AB, and OO

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    #24

    “What Horrid Secrets Do Your Parents Have, And Are Oblivious To You Being Aware Of?” (24 Answers) That my mom had breast reduction surgery

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