Myths your mother told you
Learn the truth about popular mom-isms

I hated carrots as a child. I refused to eat them, even when my mother warned me my eyes would go bad. I refused to eat them, even when my eyes did go bad.

Imagine my excitement and relief when I learned a carrot a day won’t necessarily keep the eye doctor away. And speaking of eyes, it’s unlikely they’ll "stay that way" no matter how many times you cross them. Reading in the dark won’t ruin them. Neither will too much TV.

If you’re anything like me, you grew up in a house full of these mom-isms. Wise sayings passed on from generation to generation, which sound reasonable and true. But … well … aren’t.

Did you miss out on the last hour of sunlight after dinner because Mom made you wait to jump in the pool? When you had wet hair, were you held hostage in the house for fear of catching the sniffles? If so, you fell victim to untrue old wives’ tales.

But kids, before you use this article to disobey your mother, keep in mind she’s just looking out for your best interests. While they can cause annoyance, few old wives’ tales result in actual harm. And sometimes the myths your mother tells you are true.

If you stick your tongue on a frozen pole in the middle of winter, it really will stick. If you stuff your mouth with food, you really could choke. When your tummy’s feeling topsy-turvy and your nose is running circles around your head, chicken soup really may make you feel better.

And, yes, I must concede that although they won’t improve your vision, carrots really are good for you and your eyes. But as I learned, eating other fruits and vegetables high in vitamin A can do the same thing.

So how do you tell if your mom’s favorite tale is true or if it’s just a clever way to get you to eat your vegetables? You can start by taking this quiz. Then do your homework and find some answers of your own. It will make mom proud. by Julie Fuhr

Myth madness

Put your mom to the test. Which of these tales are true; which are not?

1. Feed a cold, starve a fever.  True False

2. Feed a fever, starve a cold.  True False

3. If you eat cookie dough, you’ll get worms in your stomach.  True False

4. If you don’t turn that radio down, you could go deaf.  True False

5. If you swallow your gum, it will stay in your stomach for seven years.  True False

6. Eating chocolate causes acne.  True False

7. Fish is brain food.  True False

8. Carrying high? It’s a boy. Carrying low? It’s a girl.  True False

9. Don’t pick the baby up all the time. You’ll spoil him.  True False

10. Coffee stunts your growth.  True False

11. Thumb sucking can cause buck teeth.  True False

12. Cracking your knuckles causes arthritis.  True False

13. Breakfast is important.  True False

Answer key:

1 False, 2 False, 3 False, 4 True, 5 False, 6 False, 7 True, 8 False, 9 False, 10 False, 11 True, 12 False, 13 True

Sources:

www.kidshealth.org
www.mayoclinic.org
www.snopes2.com
www.medformation.com