Some children believed these funny white lies until well into adulthood when the realised the truth
Being a parent often means having to be economical with the truth – especially when it comes to explaining difficult subjects to your children. But sometimes, parents use little white lies to make their lives a bit easier or a bit more fun.
Plenty of people remember the white lies their parents told them growing up – whether they were a tool to make us behave ourselves, or to make us feel less afraid of things like thunder and lightning. And while most children started to see through these stories by the time they entered high school, some people kept on believing their parents tales until well into adulthood.
Lying to your children is never a good idea – but when it’s a harmless mistruth that helps encourage them to eat their vegetables, buckle up in the car or put a coat on, then it’s fair game.
We took a look at some of the most common white lies parents told their children – and asked whether there is any truth behind some of them. Did we miss any obvious ones? Let us know in the comments section below.
“Eat your carrots – they will help you see in the dark”
No, carrots don’t make you see better in the dark. While carrots are rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, and vitamin A is essential for good vision, including night vision, eating carrots won’t magically grant you superhuman night vision. If someone has a vitamin A deficiency, eating carrots can improve their night vision by replenishing their vitamin A stores, according to the BBC’s Science Focus Magazine.
“Eat your crusts and you’ll get curly hair”
There’s no truth to this one – hair texture is determined by genetics and the shape of the hair follicle.
“If the wind blows you’ll stay like that”
“You only get so many words for your entire life – if you use them all now then you will run out”
“You drive over the top of the Runcorn Bridge”
“It’s illegal to have the lights on inside the car at night”
The AA has debunked a popular driving misconception that many Brits were told to be true when they were children.
With the Highway Code featuring no fewer than 307 rules in order to keep all road users safe, it is all too easy for drivers to believe everything they hear.
However, The AA highlighted that the common belief that it is illegal for drivers to travel with the interior light on is completely false.
Speaking to The Express, they said: “Many believe it’s illegal to drive with interior lights on, but there’s no law against it. However, at night, it can cause distractions or impair vision. If deemed a factor in careless driving, you could face a charge.”
“You’ll get square eyes if you watch TV for too long”
“Chewing gum will stay in your stomach forever”
The myth that chewing gum stays in your stomach is untrue. Swallowed gum will pass through your digestive system and be excreted in your stool, just like other indigestible food.
While the gum base itself cannot be digested, the other components, like sweeteners, can be absorbed.
“The alarm in the house is Santa’s camera to make sure you’re being good”
“Thunder is God moving his furniture”
“If I went go to bed with wet hair you will get a flu”
The belief that wet hair causes colds is a common myth. In reality, colds are transmitted through viruses, not by getting wet or having wet hair.
“If you crack your knuckles you’ll get arthritis”
There is no correlation between knuckle cracking and the development of osteoarthritis or any other long-term health problems. Arthritis is typically caused by natural wear and tear, injury, infection, or autoimmune conditions, not by cracking knuckles.
“The park is closed”
“The ice cream van only plays music when they’ve run out of ice cream”
“If you eat watermelon seeds then a watermelon will grow in your belly”
“The car won’t start until you have your seat belts done up”
