Things your parents told you as a kid that you believed at the time (grandparent, friend)

[Portgas]

I believed them when they said Presidents, like George Washington, never said a lie

[HappyDogToday]

"Don't pick up the cat during a lightning storm. Cats attract lightning and you will get struck!"

"Don't swallow your gum. It will stay in your stomach for a year!"

"Get off the phone during a storm! It attracts lightning!"

"Thunder was "angels bowling".

[NYgal1542]

I was 4 years old when we moved from one place to another. My father was 45 years old and told me to tell my new friends that my father was 16.

Wishful thinking?

[Mightyqueen801]

When I was little, I heard "Vietnam" and "Viet Cong" on the TV news all the time. I knew there was a war, but I didn't know why, so I asked my mother why we were in a war.

A year or so later, my fourth-grade teacher asked the class if anyone knew why we were at war in Vietnam. I proudly raised my hand and said, "The Russians want everyone to be atheists, so we are fighting a war in Vietnam so that people can still go to church." My teacher looked at me with a withering stare, and said, "WHO told you THAT?" and then turned away.

I was stunned. MY MOTHER had told me that. At that moment, I started to think that maybe she didn't know everything after all.

[1insider]

My Mother always told me I could be whatever I wanted to be, including President. For most of my early years I assumed I would become President. Happy I didn't pursue it but I still believe her. Thanks, Mom.

[mshultz]

Originally Posted by ansible90

In my house, it was children in China.

Same here. If you waste food around me, I talk about the starving North Koreans.

[Pine to Vine]

My mother told me not to stare at mannequins or they would slap me. What was that about?

[1insider]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

My mother told me not to stare at mannequins or they would slap me. What was that about?

She knew what part of the mannequins you were looking at.

[HappyDogToday]

Originally Posted by Pine to Vine

My mother told me not to stare at mannequins or they would slap me. What was that about?

Creepy! Reminds me of that "Twilight Zone" episode: "Marcia, Marcia..."

[upnorthretiree]

I can’t think of anything to contribute, but these are great, I’m enjoying reading this thread.