I lie to my children..
It’s quite odd how certain myths that you have been told by your parents over and over again become so ingrained in your psyche that you find yourself repeating them to the next generation. Even after you know that they’re simply not true.
There are quite a few that I can think of but I will mention three relatively harmless ones.
1. Coffee stunts your growth.
There is absolutely no basis in science for this. Yet it had been drilled into me so often, everytime my kids want to make a coffee I just repeat it as an almost knee jerk reaction.
So while I’ll let my kids happily ingest yellow #5, benzoate, phylakturin and phosphoric acid, some isolated gene passed down the generations will pass on this lie to prohibit the drinking of cofee until they reach at least 5’7”
2. Your eyelids can get stuck in the inside out postion if you do it often enough.
When boys reach an age of 7-8 they suddenly get this urge to turn their eyelids inside out to make everyone in the room cringe. Yes, I did it too.
But when was the last time you sat down on the train next to a guy with inside out eyelids wearing a pityful shrug as if to say “...shoulda listened to Mom” ?
3. Reading in bad lighting is bad for your eyes.
This, I’m sure most still believe as I had for many years. Until I read an article in a science journal that showed that it is simply not the case. Yet I still repeat it..again and again.
I'd love to hear some of your tall tales....
.
posted by David_on_the_Lake at 8:15 PM
22 Comments:
yeah, i've heard those time and time again.
but actually, there are different opinions on #3. straining your eyes is definitely not good. so i wouldn't put it in mythdom yet...
hmmmm...
some falsehoods i was brought up with...
1) "if you stay out in the rain/cold, you'll catch a cold." being cold lowers your immune system, but you can't "catch" omething from the weather.
2) "if you really want something, you'll get it." some things, no matter how much you want them, are unattainable.
3) "If you don't brush your teeth, you'll get cavities." Cavities are based on genetics. And if you live out of new york, and don't have flouride in your water.
there are some more, but i'll leave those for others to proclaim...
If you stand while you eat you get big feet? Um is that it, or did I just combine two things? Well something like that.
hahahahaha
title scared me there -
i'm trying to remember some other ones.. what about too much tv/ video games being bad for your eyes? or cracking your knuckles can give you arthritis?
and if you cross your eyes, they'll get stuck!
dreamer...
hey ur hogging all the good ones...
:-P
Well the vast majority of doctors are of the opinion that reading in the dark creates no adverse effects on the eyes. The straining feeling that one feels is no different than straining any other muscle in your body which is temporary..
But alright perhaps not mythology..
Your #1 simply symantics..
swfm..
yeah...I heard that plenty..not from my parents though...
chana...
hehe that was the idea.
yup..I heard all of em..
How bout if you eat anymore ____ you'll become one?
I was sure I would turn into a strawberry!
it's dangerous to swallow gum...and something about...if you swallow something a tree will grow inside you? i forgot what it was that was that was swallowed though lol
exsem...
lol
are u dissapointed you didnt?
open..
yes...watermelon seeds..
I always eat the seeds and there aint nothing growing in there..
I was told as a child if you look at the moon or at chrismas lights you get blind.
jbf...
yikes...never heard of that...
so..u dont knw what the moon looks like?
I agree with dreamers point about cold weather, it's not the cold air or rain that make you get a cold. It's germs that do it.
That moon thing is just because the moon has shechina.
My grandmother had a tv when we were growing up, and she always told us that if we sat too close to the screen, we'd get radiation poisoning. Just to make sure we followed the rule, she had put a big line of masking tape on the floor in front of the screen. G-d, those were the days... nothing like watching silver spoons in Babi's basement with fresh kokosh stuck to your hand and masking tape stuck to your shoe.
lvnsm...
sure sure...easy for you to say all smug and warm there in california...
lol
chav...
yes I've heard that..actually read that the Zohar says that the man on the moon is a likeness of Yakov Avinu..
Great memory there..I have so many memories like that f my grandmother..watching the Love Boat..lol
and yes she warned me of the same thing and I'm sure if I'd have a TV I'd be telling my kids the same thing..
i disagree w/ dreamers #2 and #3.
well, i dont disagree she was brought up w/ em, but i disagree that they are myths.
sabra...
well dreamers 2nd..I think we can all agree that something are impossible to acheive now matter how bad you want to. I dont think thats what that saying means..I think it obviusly is referring to things in our reach.
as for the 3rd..Not sure..
I know I never get cavities and my parents do
sabra - of course it's better to brush your teeth. but it doesn't mean you'll get cavities if you don't. I know people who barely ever brush their teeth and haven't got a single cavity, while those who brush two or three times a day have many.
flossing, on the other hand, is a different story. that's more for thegums, anyway.
dremaer...
thanks for the calrification...
I havent brushed in days ..since ur first comment
:-P
About the cavities being genetic -- I think you've got it a little wrong. People with healthy teeth can cause decay by not brushing teeth. The thing is, even brushing will not stop cavities if you are genetically prone. Basically, what it all boils down to is hashgacha pratis defying science AGAIN. (Go brush your teeth, DOT. It's good for your breath)
Dreamer's #2 -- I remember that one. I don't like it. It's just not true and parents have to teach children to cope with the fact that they can't and won't always get what they want. (not sure of the details, but it may be true in spiritual spheres, I remember learning something along those lines.)
As for Chana's -- I'm not sure about eyes specifically, but too much TV/video games is definitely harmful to the brain. It's been proven. I wish I had a good link handy. Try the AAP.
Now for more myths... somehow I don't remember these things until someone says them.
Well, my mother used to tell me that when I'd say I hate someone, "it means you really like them because you care." This makes no sense to me. If anything, I dislike that person because I care about ME.
I got a lot of the garbage everyone else has been posting... particularly the crossed eyes line.
Probably related to Dreamer's #2 in some sense: "If you really cared about it, you would remember." OK, I care about getting my homework done but not to the extent like a birthday party that's so exciting you can't forget it.
I thought of one earlier today and flagged it to post here... but then I forgot :(
how about this:
dont stand on your head - all the blood will go rushing to your head. (I discussed this with my OB/GYN when he told me that my baby was upside down ready to be born. he said it's no problem)
OR:
the biggie - if you drink havdala wine, you will grow a beard aaaaaaaah
my husband always gives havdalah to my kids and I live in fear of having to take my little daughter for electrolysis.
Bas_M...
Whats the AAP?
Your #1..hmm never heard of that..and ur right and makes no sense..
sounds like one of those 3rd grade.."whatever u say goes back to you.." mantras..
Hmm hate when that happens....try the alphabet trick..always works with me
Mega..
Oh. Thanks for letting me know. I thought it was a problem too. You definitely feel a little lightheaded on ur head. Babies are floating in embryonic fluid so gravity isnt pulling it down..
As for the Havdala thing..there is actually a mekor for that...I'll find it..
How about this gem - THE INTERNET IS TREYF, M'TOOR ESS NISHT ESSEN!!
Its all good...
Never heard that as a kid..and neither did you
:-)
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