Buzz
As a kid, I quickly realized that a lot of what my parents told me was just nonsense. But, I turned out to be the great person I am today — and still, I know a lot of their advice was far from the truth. Nickelodeon has lost its charm for me now, and my childhood dream of kids ruling the world has long faded. But for today, let’s take a swing at the things parents say. Here's a list of the most ridiculous things they tell their children:
10. Money doesn’t grow on trees
No, it doesn’t. But interestingly, it comes from plants. Today’s currency is made from crane paper pulp, which is about 75% cotton and 25% linen. So, money may not come from trees, but it certainly doesn’t come from parents either. A study by GFK Roper revealed that 22% of men believe their divorces were caused primarily by financial issues.
9. If you have nothing positive to say, keep silent
It makes sense if you truly have nothing to say. But sometimes, certain things must be said, even if they aren't considered 'nice.' Is it 'nice' to inform a family that someone they loved has passed away in an accident? No — but it’s a necessary truth. Or is it better that they learn it on their own? Admittedly, that sounds a little extreme. However, if we’re talking about holding back an angry comment, it’s worth mentioning that suppressing anger has been linked to increased risks of stomach issues, headaches, and heart attacks. So, next time, it might be better to speak your mind — after all, isn’t 'honesty the best policy'?
8. Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words can never harm you
I can’t be the only one who interpreted this advice as 'Oh, so my words can't hurt anyone? In that case, I'll just grab some sticks and stones.' Sociopathic childhood memories aside, this advice also teaches kids not to take words seriously, which could make them socially awkward or completely disregard rules. The result? You either have a child running wild with their own rules, or one who isn’t afraid to hurt others severely.
7. The early bird catches the worm
Considering that most of the people who take this saying to heart are older folks who are up before 5:00 am, I have to ask: What real business operates that early? You can't go to work. You can't run errands. You're essentially stuck in your own home. Plus, this phrase promotes getting less sleep, which is already an issue for about 1/3 of Americans who get less than the recommended 6 hours. Just remember — the slow and steady turtle wins the race.
6. You're too young to understand
On the flip side! Here's a question for the adults out there that you might not want to answer: Have you ever noticed that kids these days seem way smarter than you were at their age? Now for the unsettling truth: They are. Scientist James R. Flynn, who introduced 'The Flynn Effect,' found in his research that IQ scores have been steadily increasing with each new generation.
5. Finish your dinner, there are starving kids in Africa!
Sure, and there are also starving kids in many other parts of the world. But if that’s the case, why are parents forcing their kids to overeat? Why not reduce the food budget and send some of those savings to the hungry children in Africa? Perhaps it’s because much of the food aid sent to Africa gets lost or stolen — sometimes by pirates, warlords, or even corrupt businessmen. But don't worry, your parents probably weren’t seriously thinking about sending any aid to Africa.
4. You can't judge a book by its cover
One of the earliest references to this phrase comes from the 1860 novel by Mary Ann Evans (better known by her pen name, George Eliot), titled 'The Mill on the Floss,' which coincidentally had a rather dull cover. When thinking about this in terms of judging people by their appearances, why then is it so crucial not to wear sweatpants and two-week-old socks to a job interview? Whether we like it or not, making a good first impression — even if it’s superficial — is vital for success in today’s professional world.
3. You're grounded!
This term originally comes from the aviation world — a pilot was considered 'grounded' if they were deemed unfit to fly. Although, I'm sure there are plenty of other ways a pilot could get into trouble while stuck on solid ground.
These days, grounding kids doesn’t seem to have much effect. Most of the time, they’re in their rooms anyway — glued to video games, watching endless cat videos online, or sharing every mundane detail of their lives on social media. Besides, is it really worth grounding a kid when there’s a chance it could land you in court? In a 2009 case in Quebec, a 12-year-old girl sued her father for grounding her from a school trip… and won. Parents, it might be time to think of more inventive punishments than just locking your kids in their rooms.
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Rue Lazzaro is an award-winning poet and fiction author. He currently works as a freelance writer for american-ghostwriter.com and is in the process of writing a novel, a collection of short stories, and a poetry collection. Like many writers in his position, he’s starving and probably surviving by eating rats on the street.
2. Mother knows best
If that’s the case, then the 'best' doesn’t seem all that impressive. The CDC reports that between 11% and 18% of women experience depressive symptoms after becoming mothers — including feelings of hopelessness. To be honest, I haven’t heard this saying in a while — maybe moms figured out it was best to leave it behind while it was still popular.
1. You’re only young once
Yes, but these days, youth seems to last a lot longer. A recent poll conducted by The New York Times found that people believe old age begins around 68. However, those over 65 feel that old age doesn’t begin until 75. I’m willing to bet that people over 75 still consider themselves young, while those over 85 think they’re ancient. You’re only young once — but you’re young forever if you’re a stubborn old man.
