Childhood House Rules: A Trip Down Memory Lane with Readers
Disclaimer: When you buy from links on our site, we may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Learn more
Growing up in a household, we often take certain rules and routines for granted, assuming they are the norm for every family. However, as we grow older and gain insight into different households, we come to realize that what we consider “normal” might not be the standard for everyone else. In this thought-provoking exploration, we pose the question: What was a house rule you had as a kid that you thought was completely normal until you grew up and realized not all households followed?
Chores and Responsibilities
To start, a Redditor replied, “I had to wash the dishes every night, even if I wasn’t home for the meal. Sometimes I’d get home from an away basketball game (I was on the team) after 10 pm, and the dishes had sat since they finished eating around 6:30 pm.”
From Blah to Bliss
Are you tired of putting your goals on the back burner? Are you ready to take the steps to make your dreams come true, all while being the best mom you can be? Here’s your first step to refocusing on your goals.
FREE 5 Day Email Mindset Launchpad
Mealtime Rules
One Redditor added, “Haiku night dinners. Some nights we spoke in haiku And only haiku.”
A second Redditor replied, “We weren’t allowed to get into the fridge or the cabinets without asking permission. My family was very poor, and we had a limited food budget, so eating something without permission very possibly meant eating one ingredient of a meal my stepmother was planning on cooking within the next few days.”
Bedtime Rules
A user replied, “When I was really young, I had a “night bell.” It was this old clay bell(?) that hung in the kitchen, and when I had to go to bed, I got to ring the bell, and everyone would come to say goodnight, and then I would go to bed. Not really a rule, but a weird little ritual in our house.”
Homework and Study Time
One user commented, “If you don’t get A’s, you don’t eat at the table. I legit thought this was normal until I had dinner at a friend’s house, and my friend brought home a devastating report card. His parents were so supportive and loving.”
A second user added, “My sister and I had to read for 30 minutes after school. My parents weren’t even home, but we would tattle on each other.”
Personal Hygiene
One Redditor replied, “I wasn’t allowed to take a shower if I was home alone.”
Curfew and Going Out
A user added, “No curfew as long as I told my mom where I would be. I was always honest bc I loved being 16 with no curfew.”
Television and Entertainment
One Redditor replied, “My parents used a laissez-faire parenting style. No censorship whatsoever. I watched Rocky Horror Picture Show with my brother when I was 7. Pretty awkward when I brought the VHS with me to a sleepover at a friend’s house. The parents were mortified.”
A second Redditor added, “No television before five or after eight.”
Sibling or Family Interactions
A user commented, “We had “family council” every Sunday night after dinner. We would sit and say good things that happened that week, share our grievances if we had any (we always did), make a dinner menu, and assign chores.”
Clothing and Dress Code
A popular comment was, “First thing upon coming in the house you have to change into clean pants and wash your hands. (Guests were exempt from the pants rule but not hand washing). If you took your shoes off while you were out, you had to change your socks as well.”
Privacy and Personal Space
One Redditor added, “My door could only be closed if I was changing clothes. If my parents suspected that I was hiding anything, they could (and did) go through anything to make sure. Dresser and desk drawers, bags, closet, car, whatever they felt necessary. Even my mail was fair game. As a result, I got really good at hiding things.”
Kissing On TV Rules
A user replied, “We weren’t allowed to watch anything remotely s****l like if people were kissing on screen, my mom would freak out and run to cover the TV with a pillow and go “blah blah cough cough” loudly until it was over.”
Language and Manners
A user added, “Any of the kids (7 of us) can play with any toy that is left out. The owner of the toy can’t take it back until whoever’s playing with it is done. If the toy is put away in the owner’s room, permission must be asked.”
Another person added, “No “swearing,” which includes the obvious as well as “stupid,” “idiot,” “shut up,” and “fart.”
School and Education
One Redditor replied, “Maybe it’s not a “house” rule. But when I was six, my mom told me that if I behaved, she would let me skip school on Saturdays and Sundays. One day, my teacher said “See ya Monday,” and I knew.”
Cleaning and Tidiness
One interesting comment was, “If you couldn’t find something, and you asked someone for help (sibling or parent), and they found it for you, they got to punch you in the arm.”
Safety Rules
To finish, a Redditor commented, “If I got hurt doing a certain activity, I wasn’t allowed to do that activity again.”
This thread on r/AskReddit about childhood house rules sparked a wave of nostalgia and shared experiences among Redditors. It showcased the diversity of rules that shaped our upbringing, from chores and curfews to technology usage and personal hygiene. As Redditors reminisced about their unique household regulations, it became evident that these rules played a significant role in shaping our values and habits. Whether it was the strict enforcement of bedtimes or the importance placed on family interactions, these house rules provided structure and taught us valuable life lessons.
14 “Poor People” Dishes You’ll Always Love No Matter Your Wealth
14 “Poor People” Dishes You’ll Always Love No Matter Your Wealth One thing that won’t ever change is your tastebuds – you just can’t control what you crave.
10 Incredibly Irritating Things The Boomer Generation Says All The Time
10 Incredibly Irritating Things The Boomer Generation Says All The Time – What is something annoying the boomer generation always says to the younger generation?
10 Places Women Always Want To Avoid When Going On a Date
10 Places Women Always Want To Avoid When Going On a Date – These are the top-voted destinations to avoid.
15 Things That Will Die With The Boomer Generation
15 Things That Will Die With The Boomer Generation Boomers are something. The younger generations find them selfish and full of useless advice and tips.
16 Things We Need To Stop Teaching Children Immediately
16 Things We Need To Stop Teaching Children Immediately That said, not everything taught to children is either done with the best intentions.
10 Things Boomers Passionately Dislike About Modern Society
10 Things Boomers Passionately Dislike About Modern Society – The list could probably go on forever. You might agree with some.
Mind the Gender Gap: 24 Expenses That Men Bear Alone in a World of Unequal Spending
Mind the Gender Gap: 24 Expenses That Men Bear Alone in a World of Unequal Spending – Men are often expected to pay for a lot of things when it comes to relationships.
Silly Things Boomers Say Daily
10 Annoying Things The Boomer Generation Says Daily Millennials and Gen Z often want them just to SHUT UP! So, What is something annoying the boomer generation always says to the younger generation?
10 Surprising Phrases Your Partner Is Using to Gaslight You
The word “gaslighting” is thrown around a lot these days. The purpose of gaslighting is to make someone believe they are crazy when in reality, they are not. – 10 Surprising Phrases Your Partner Is Using to Gaslight You
New Shows Streaming On Netflix in May
Coming Soon: New Netflix Series Premiering in May – Cuddle up, get cozy and get ready to watch these great new shows releasing on Netflix this month.
As a full-time working mom of three, I know what it’s like to feel like life is out of balance and out of control.
While I don’t have it all figured out, I am committed to sharing helpful tips and tricks with other mommas who are ready to break free from negativity, ditch mom guilt, & finally, live life on their own terms.