TRUE OR FALSE?
Penny For Your Thoughts By: Nancy Whitaker
Did your mom or dad ever say to you, “Eat carrots because they help your eyes and you may be able to see in the dark,” Hmm… I ate carrots forever and I got cataracts.
Parents tell their children all sorts of things. Some things they say to you is so you won’t say or do them anymore or scare you into behaving. How many are true?
My mom used to tell me if I went outside after a bath, I would catch pneumonia. I was also led to believe that if I crossed my eyes, they would stay that way.
If my nose itched it meant someone was talking about me; and if my left hand itched, it meant I would get money. Too much sugar makes you hyper, so you can’t eat too much chocolate.
Drinking too much coffee will stunt your growth and don’t crack your knuckles or you will get arthritis.
Don’t swim after a meal because you will sink; shaved hair will only grow back more, and thicker, and you have to drink all your milk or your teeth will fall out.
One thing grandma taught me was don’t eat fish and drink milk together or it will kill you. I have repeated this to people and then they will eat a piece of fish, drink a glass of milk and still be living the next day! Myth vs. reality: The belief that combining fish and milk is bad for you is a myth, possibly stemming from ancient beliefs or cultural practices. In reality, many recipes successfully combine fish and dairy, such as creamy fish chowders or baked fish with a white sauce. I still won’t eat fish and drink milk at the same meal.
When I was little, one thing I liked to do was to walk in every mud puddle I saw. If my mama was walking with me she would say, “Now Nancy Sue, don’t you go walking in that mud puddle. You have your good shoes on.”
Well, I would go ahead and walk through a mud puddle till mom told me that if you get too much mud on your shoes, your toes may fall off. But I have never got over walking through a mud puddle.
Ever had your parents tell you not to swallow a watermelon seed?. Some parents told their kids that if they swallowed the seed that it would grow in their stomachs and grow into a big plant. Well my mama told me a different myth. I was told if you swallow a watermelon seed, you would have a baby. I believed that for a long time.
Then there was the tooth fairy. One myth was that the tooth fairy came every night and if there was a tooth under your pillow, she would leave you some money. However if you had no tooth under your pillow, she would look at your teeth and see if you brushed them. If they hadn’t been brushed, your teeth would turn black.
My, my. When you are kids and told these myths you believe them and most times are passed down to your kids. Have you ever heard of these sayings and did your children believe them? Let me know and I’ll give you a Penny For Your Thoughts. Oh and I was told if you find a Penny, you will have good luck.
