Growing up, there were likely a number of rules your parents set up that seemed unreasonable to you. These rules might have felt restrictive or just weird. However, some of these guidelines may have laid the foundation for the person you are today. Here are 8 kind of wacky rules from your childhood that ultimately made you into a better person.
1. No TV on Weekdays
My mom wasn’t big on letting us watch a ton of TV. In fact, there were times we didn’t have cable for years. That said, we weren’t allowed to tune into any kind of TV during the school week. This seemed weird to me sometimes, especially seeing all of my friends glued to their favorite television shows after school. It felt kind of unfair at the moment, but I appreciate it now that I look back. I had more time to figure out what hobbies I enjoyed. I engaged in after-school activities, made friends, and read (a lot). In the end, this rule taught me to be productive and not rely on technology for entertainment.
2. Bedtime by 8 PM
Listen, I wish I had an 8 p.m. bedtime these days, but being forced to go to bed early as a child seemed so unfair. What I didn’t know was that my parents were setting me up to have a healthy sleep routine. As an adult, I definitely prioritize sleep more than some of my friends my age. I know that if I don’t get enough sleep, I’m not productive and I’m angry at times. It can impact the quality of my entire day, so having a set bedtime when I was younger helped me recognize sleep as an important part of my well-being.
3. No Junk Food During the Week
Again, we weren’t big on junk food, but we certainly weren’t chowing down on it after school. While this “rule” seemed a bit strict, it helped us develop better eating habits in the long run. Limiting junk foods helped us learn the importance of good nutrition and self-control. As an adult, I enjoy vegetables and I maintain a balanced diet. It may have seemed weird at the time, but it likely saved me from having a bad relationship with food.
4. Always Write Thank-You Notes
This one wasn’t as big with my parents as it was my grandparents. While mom and dad always made sure I said “thank you,” my grandparents impressed upon me the importance of a written note. At the time, these notes felt unnecessary, but it’s made me more thankful as an adult. I frequently show my gratitude and it has strengthened my relationships with others.
5. No Leaving the Table Until Your Plate Is Clean
I don’t agree with this one personally. Sometimes, your child just isn’t hungry and they shouldn’t be forced to eat. That said, this strict rule taught me not to be wasteful. Mom wasn’t going to be making multiple different dinners. So, if I was hungry, I better sit down with the rest of the family and eat. Overall, it taught me respect and mindfulness and I’m thankful for that.
6. No Phone Calls After 8 PM
My parents often tried to implement this rule. Once I was in middle and high school, however, I got a cell phone. All phone calls after 9 p.m. were free (I’m probably dating myself a bit there). As a younger child, I certainly wasn’t leaving my room after 8 p.m. though, and I certainly wasn’t going to be on the phone. In the long run, this helped me know when it’s time to disconnect for my own mental well-being.
7. Only 1 Hour of Video Games a Day
We actually weren’t allowed to have a video game console in our house, so what little game time we got was on the computer. We’d play things like Neopets and other fun online games, but there was a strict rule about how much time we were allowed to spend on the computer. Sometimes it was a drag having to get off in the middle of a fun game, but it has helped me manage my time better as an adult.
8. Do Chores Before Play
There was always a note left for us at home with a list of things we needed to do before we could go outside. Again, at the time, this was not ideal, but it instilled a sense of responsibility in me that I’ve carried throughout my life. Ultimately, I learned to prioritize what needs to be done before enjoying the rewards.
Weird Rules That Worked
Many of these rules felt like a burden growing up but, in the long run, they actually helped me become a productive adult. These guidelines helped me form healthy habits and taught me discipline. I may not have appreciated it then, but I’m more than thankful now.