The 30 Most Insane Rules Strict Parents Ever Imposed On Their Kids

By Zachary Brenner

Updated Oct. 29 2018, 6:35 p.m. ET

I don't think my parents were particularly strict when I was growing up, but they had one rule that never made sense to me. I could not play video games on a school night. While that rule isn't so strange by itself, it didn't make sense in the context of their other rules.

See, I was allowed to watch as much TV as I wanted on any night. So what this meant was that I was allowed to stare at a glowing rectangle as long as I was not in control of the characters on screen. When I pointed out this absurdity to my parents, they responded more or less how I expected. They told me they weren't changing their minds and to drop the subject.

In retrospect, I think the exception for television was only made because they wanted to be able to watch TV too, and didn't want to deal with three children calling them out on their hypocrisy. So I never did call them hypocrites, just confusing. 

1. Mario is a failure, but alive.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

2. They'll never catch me. I play a rogue.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

3. Only her scalp got cleaned.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

4. This is... Um, dumb.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

5. It's the devil's instrument!

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

6. Safety is more important than friendship.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

7. You should have gone right past that cop!

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

8. Why is this a rule?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

9. Sounds like there is more to this story.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

10. Hi. Still asleep.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

11. It's important to get 12 hours of sleep.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

12. I hope you learned your lesson. Whatever it was.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

13. Just smile and nod next time.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

14. Life isn't supposed to be fun.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

15. How do you like me lighting my money on fire?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

16. Shh.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

17. You know what? All my clothes will be the same color from now on.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

18. Can I ask a question?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

19. So, never?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

20. Why are they old? That seems suspicious.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

21. This is strictly an 1800's household.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

22. Wait, what?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

23. I know how to feel about this.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

24. This house is a mess. Why do we have so many lockboxes?

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

25. Yeah, but Satan never found you so I guess it worked.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

26. This seems like more work than it is worth.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

27. If it makes you feel better, it teaches it incorrectly.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

28. Life is about balance.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

29. You can go to prom, but cannot do any prom-related things.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

30. You can eat or you can starve.

Comment from discussion People who grew up with strict parents: what was their most unreasonable rule?.

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