Growing up, my family had its fair share of weird & memorable rules. One such rule that I still giggle about is the “no snacks after 8 pm” policy. No matter if you were starving or simply in need of a midnight snack, the kitchen was not for you after eight. Back then, it felt so unfair. I’d be lying on the bed dreaming of the packet of chips I couldn’t have — but now I can’t help but laugh at how upset we were about it.
For our younger selves, most of these rules seemed pointless, but they brought order to our lives – even if we didn’t fully understand them. Today, I’ll share 10 of the weirdest family rules you might have grown up with too.
Featured Image Credit: Pexels.
The “One Bite of Everything” Rule
Whatever my mom made, we had to try at least one bite of everything on our plate. It was a rule even if it was something we absolutely detested, such as Brussels sprouts or liver. The concept was to “extend our palate,” but I had to admit, it was torture then.
TV Off During Meals, But Background Music Was Okay
It was impolite to watch TV during mealtime, but music in the background was fine. I never quite grasped why one noise was rude & the other wasn’t, but it became a code we never violated. The soundtrack was always on at dinner time, which is oddly therapeutic to me now.
No Speaking in the Morning Until Breakfast Was Served
Our mornings were very quiet because no one ever talked to us until breakfast was out on the table. My mother said it was to keep people quiet until everyone got up, but it made our mornings feel like we were living in a silent monastery. Once breakfast was served, it was a matter of flipping a switch & chatter filled the kitchen.
Board Games Had to Be Played by “House Rules”
All of our board games had “house rules” attached to them, which were often a bit more detailed than the original. Monopoly games became marathons & Uno’s weird penalties made the game twice as long. If you didn’t obey the house rules, you couldn’t play at all.
No Drinking Anything Until You Finished Eating
At dinner, we were not allowed to drink water or juice before eating. My parents said it would “fill you up too quickly,” but it was always odd for me to wait until my plate was clear before sipping. Even now, when I have a sip at dinner, I feel a bit ashamed.
The “No Leftovers on Your Plate” Rule
It wasn’t ok to have even a grain of rice left on our plates. My father called it “wasting food” & we were trained to eat every last bite on the plate, no matter how full we were.
Bedroom Doors Must Stay Open Until Bedtime
During the day, our bedroom doors had to stay open unless we were changing clothes. My parents thought it made us more open & less isolated. As a teenager, it felt like an invasion of privacy, but it also led to some funny eavesdropping moments with my siblings.
No Playing Until Homework Was Done
This was the dreaded rule growing up. We came home from school & had to sit down and do all our homework before we were allowed to play or watch TV. I hated it then but it taught me discipline & to do my chores before enjoying my free time.
No Singing at the Dinner Table
We never got the chance to enjoy singing at meals. Mom said it was distracting, but my sisters & I thought it was because she didn’t like our off-key tones. Either way, as soon as someone would hum a song, we’d receive a cold stare & the singing would vanish.
No Shoes in the Living Room, But Socks & Sandals Were Fine
Wearing shoes was prohibited in our living room, but strangely enough, socks were okay (even if they were dirty from playing outside). My parents said it was to clean the carpets but this made no sense when my socks were equally filthy.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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