Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

People Break Down Which Lessons From Childhood They've Had To Completely Unlearn

Make us preferred on Google

Our past is chock full of "life lessons" that are actually just crap. It's easy to spoon-feed children drivel. They're sponges ready to absorb.

Then those children become adults that require rewiring.

Between culture changes and generations of upheaval, there is a lot that we are left to examine when out in the world. Look at where we are as a society right now. We are stuck in the throes of a culture war stemming from generational misinformation.

So where do we begin?

Redditor Baby_Bella_XX wanted to discuss the information we thought we understood as kids that might require an update. They asked:

What have you had to unlearn from your childhood?

The biggest lesson for me. "Oh stop worrying. There is plenty of time for that."

NO THERE IS NOT! There is no time left! Use it wisely!

Truth

Facts GIF by Judge JerryGiphy

"Fear isn't respect." ~ JudasJenks

Talk it Through

"Not talking about problems or concerns or feelings. My family really only makes small talk. Talking about the weather, gossip, etc. If there is any kind of disagreement, it's typically handled by giving the silent treatment, which might last anywhere from a couple hours to a few weeks or more. The only exception to this was my dad."

"If he was really angry, he would yell, slam things, and sometimes hit. Then pretend it never happened. No one ever asked how anyone else was doing, or about their day. I would come home from school and go straight to my room, because it was just a fact of life that no one would want to talk to me."

"If I had a problem, it would never occur to me to discuss it with my parents. There were never any "I love you's" or hugs or anything. I still, to this day, have never heard either of my parents apologize. I know they loved us in their own dysfunctional way, though."

"I probably overcompensate now. If I have a disagreement with my husband, I HAVE to talk it through in it's entirety. Even if it takes hours. I hug and tell my kids I love them several times a day. I ask questions every day about school, friends, etc. I apologize when I'm wrong. It's weird that that honestly comes naturally to me. I never realized how messed up my childhood was until I had kids of my own." ~ nicole11930

Self First

"Learning to say NO." ~ guyhabit

"If only my family would learn to accept "no". My mom insists on buying metric crap ton of food everytime she visits, despite me telling her not to, so she goes through all my things to "know" what to buy."

"She saw some oatmeal I never finished and two cans of soup I had for emergencies when I'm too sick to eat anything else. Now I'm stuck with a metric crap ton of soup and oatmeal that I keep forgetting to drop off for the local food pantry." ~ 1stLtObvious

Be Loud

"Talking back to anyone older that you is disrespectful. My parents taught me this and it's crap." ~ Halloweendog84

"I unlearned it during childhood. Got tired of my grandparents treating my parents wrong. Still am. I just wish my parents would see it and realize that they don't need to rely on them anymore. I'm tired of abusive or unhelpful family members being part of our lives." ~ bluedragggon3

XOXO

Season 4 Hug GIF by Good GirlsGiphy

"That I'm not actually a burden just for being here." ~ KNOCKknockLAHEY_420

I feel like everyone here needs a hug. All of you should know, you deserve to be here. Every life can change another. Remember that...

Tears

Tobey Maguire Reaction GIFGiphy

"It's okay to cry and it does not make you a weakling. When sad times hit, you have every right to cry your heart out to heal your wounds." ~ unforgivablenope

Social Issues

"Other children weren't psychic, I'm autistic." ~ Thinkingwithportals1

"As a child, I missed a lot of social cues, I couldn't read facial expressions or body language (or even know that you're meant to do that). The other kids kept seeming to know what others were feeling or thinking, so the logical conclusion was that everybody except me was psychic." ~ Thinkingwithportals1

Take my word for it...

"Lots of things. I actually can make it in the real world. I am not doomed to failure because of who I am and the quirks that come with being me. I am not the multitude of nasty labels my father spewed at me. The whole world isn't filled with terrible people who want to take advantage of me, requiring me to always be strong if I don't want to get taken advantage of."

"I am not actually sensitive and over-dramatic. I was actually picked at, 24/7, and so that was why it was so easy to rile me up; I never had a chance not to be emotionally charged. I actually can cook. I am not, as my mother often hinted, naturally a bad cook. I could write pages and pages of this crap and I still wouldn't cover it all. Take my word for it, I've unlearned a lot." ~ EgyptianDevil78

Eat Less

"My parents told me to eats what's on my plate, now I'm fat, coz I don't eat til I'm full, I eat til it's gone." ~ racerboy661

"The thing I've found is to get smaller portions. I only eat until I've had enough, then I stop. If I end up throwing some out, at least it is a tiny bit since I got a small portion."

"If I end up wanting more after eating it all, I can go back and get another small portion. So my advice is cut down on portion size and eat until you feel full then stop. It is way healthier. Try for no waste but that's the idea behind small portions." ~ PoopLoofah

The Best Of...

High School College GIFGiphy

"That just because I am not scoring at the top or going to the most prestigious college I am not not smart." ~ Imteyimg

Here is a lesson. Just try to be a good person. Sadly, in this day and age, that seems harder to do. And remember... our parents don't know everything.

Want to "know" more?

Sign up for the Knowable newsletter here.

Never miss another big, odd, funny or heartbreaking moment again.

More from Trending/best-of-reddit

Donald Trump; Canada goose carrying weapon from Donald Trump's AI video
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images; @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social

Trump Dragged After Sharing Bizarre AI Video Of Canada Geese With Guns Defending 'Lake America'

As his trade war with Canada continues to stoke tensions, President Donald Trump is facing criticism for sharing an AI-generated video of Canada geese with his signature pompadour and armed with guns to protect his recently renamed "Lake America."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States was considering "changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don't expect to [be] doing much business with Ontario any longer."

Keep ReadingShow less
Meghan, Duchess of Sussex speaks onstage during the 2025 TIME100 Summit at Jazz at Lincoln Center.
Jemal Countess/Getty Images for TIME

Meghan Markle Bizarrely Criticized Over Post Hours After Dolly Parton's Death Was Announced—And Fans Are Baffled

At this point, “Now why am I in it?” might as well be Meghan Markle’s unofficial motto. And this week, the answer somehow involves Dolly Parton and a jar of apple butter.

Stay with me.

Keep ReadingShow less
Al Michaels; Donald Trump
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images; Nathan Howard/Pool/Getty Images

MAGA Now Threatening To Boycott NFL After Announcer Al Michaels Makes Jab At Trump Over 'Lake America'

Some of President Donald Trump's supporters are reportedly threatening to boycott the NFL after longtime commentator Al Michaels made a joke about President Trump's rash decision to rename Lake Ontario to "Lake America."

In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the United States was considering "changing the name of Lake Ontario to Lake America in that we don't expect to [be] doing much business with Ontario any longer."

Keep ReadingShow less
Andrew Garfield
Vanity Fair/YouTube

Andrew Garfield Praised For His Nuanced Take On Actors Who Choose To Get Botox

As Botox and other anti-aging methods become more popular and accessible, there's an ongoing conversation among entertainment enthusiasts about aging gracefully and actors performing expressively.

For example, Botox, commonly used on the forehead, around the eyes, and around the mouth, relaxes the skin and the muscles underneath to prevent wrinkles. As a result, the treatment can dramatically change a person's facial expressions and limit how they convey emotions nonverbally.

Keep ReadingShow less
Angie Nixon; Laura Loomer
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Loomer Unleashed

Dem Senate Nominee Epically Rips Laura Loomer After She Calls Her A 'B*tch' In Racist Rant

After far-right commentator Laura Loomer published racist remarks disparaging Florida U.S. Senate candidate Angie Nixon and other Black female lawmakers, Nixon reminded critics of the time Loomer actually ate dog food on camera.

Loomer said "These women are all ghetto, entitled, race-obsessed, destructive black B*TCHES who are completely unfit for the power they hold" in remarks on X that accompanied a video of similar and more elaborate remarks she made on a radio program.

Keep ReadingShow less