What Lies Has Your Mother Told You?

Mothers use old wives tales, proverbs, and sometimes just their own inventive wit to tell their kids things. While some of these may just be pure words of wisdom, such as the golden rule, always treat others as you would like to be treated, others are pure myths meant to teach their children lessons or shape them up.

What are some of the most common lies mothers tell their kids? And are they truth or fiction? Let's take a look at some of the most common phrases mothers use.

"If you keep crossing your eyes they are going to get stuck that way," my mother used to tell me. Sometimes I even catch myself saying this to my own son. This is not true. There are no medical or scientific facts to support this statement. It's just a mom's way of saying, knock it off! No one wants twenty family photographs where the little boy's eyes are crossed in every shot! In addition, no matter how many times you make that face it is not going to freeze that way. While that lie may scare some children, this can backfire if you have a silly little boy who is hoping it is true. So use this one with great caution. It might be better to suggest that you're going to put the pictures in a future high school slideshow.

"Don't swallow your gum! It stays in your stomach for seven years." This is false. Usually, the gum passes the body within 48 hours of consumption. Swallowing too much gum in a short period of time may lead to constipation.

"Eating the crusts of your bread will give you curly hair." This is absolutely not true. I know because I hate bread, especially the crusts and I have curly hair! In addition to this, the hair you have is caused by your genetics more than the food you put in your mouth.

"Walking around in your barefoot will give you worms." Another false one, mom! Recently there has been a trend of running barefoot. Some even do this in the snow. While this is not for everyone, it's just another way to debunk this old favorite tale of moms. In addition there is no conclusive evidence that running barefoot or stepping outside with wet hair will cause you to get sick. Getting sick is usually caused by airborne viruses, though exposing your body parts to ice and cold temperatures often does increase your chances for hypothermia.

"Your nose is going to grow if you keep telling those tale tales." Was this borrowed from Pinocchio or did Pinocchio just embellish upon a favorite old wives tale? In either case, rest assured your nose growth is again related to your genetics not your ability to tell the truth.

"Eating carrots is good for your eyes." Mom is actually right! There are vitamins in the carrots that will help your eyesight, though they are not magical. They may help you strengthen your eyes and vision but they do not cure eye disorders or problems.

There is a common mother and father parenting myth about a "five second" rule. This was actually shown on an episode of myth busters. The food still picks up bacteria and germs off the surface it fell on and shouldn't be put into your mouth. If you drop the pacifier, wash it!

"Don't sit close to the television or you will go blind." Or a variation of, "watching so much television will cause you to go blind." While mom is just trying to get you to turn the boob tube off once in a while, there is no scientific evidence that suggests either of these things cause blindness. They can however, harm your mind. Too much sitting in front of a television tends to lead to obesity and inactivity as well. In ADD children research has suggested that too much television may add to their problem as they are so used to being visually stimulated them expect that when they sit down with a book or homework as well.

"If you keep picking your nose, it is going to fall off." This is obviously not true, instead of saying something so ridiculous to children that are learning faster with each generation, why not explain that it is not proper etiquette to pick your nose. Explain to them how society will look at that as disgusting and it may cost them friends or to be teased in school.

"Just tell me the truth and you won't get in trouble." This works once mom, then they know they are in trouble regardless. Because even if you try to monitor your response or how you handle the situation, with everything there is some form of consequence or talk to learn from the experience. Instead suggest that you will be willing to talk about the issues rather than discipline if they can be honest about it with you.

One of the funniest parenting lies was told on a recent sitcom when the woman explained her beloved childhood pets were taken to "Rainbow Hill". The partner looked at her with disbelief and said to the effect, "You do realize parents tell their kids that when the pet dies?" Though it was funny to the viewers, there is harm in lying about these events to a child. Don't let your children be deceived about real life tragedy because you feel they are too delicate. Explain things to them and educate them. If you share enough love and kindness when dealing with things like death, or even your own belief system about the hereafter, you are giving them the chance to properly grieve.

Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, The tooth fairy, and stork delivery's are all lies most of us tell our preschool children. At some point as they grow, we need to come clean about these things. Children who still believe at sixteen that babies come from storks can show a real lack of judgment when they are faced with a significant other pressuring them for sex. Santa Claus may not be real, but the idea of Santa Claus is very much alive. That is how I handled the "Santa" myth when my son approached me this past Christmas. Santa Claus may be mythical or fictional, but there are children everywhere who would have no Christmas this year if someone hadn't donned a Santa suit or borrowed his name and delivered those presents. There may be a time in your life when you will need the magic of Santa Claus!

Some of the lies we tell our children seem harmless on the surface. However, isn't it easier in most cases to just tell them why they need to stop the bad behavior, eat the food, or do what we ask? Having examined my usage of common wives tales in my parenting, I tried to change paths and take a different road with the situations. Talking and communicating forms the bonds that will last throughout their lives, whereas, the myth or quick lie is a fast solution it doesn't invoke the opportunity for discussion or communication. If the situation has to have a quick solution, use your values you are trying to instill to suggest that they should be respectful with parents and elders.