10 Lies Texas Parents Told Us As Kids That Aren’t True

Growing up in Texas has many perks.  We get to play in wide-open spaces, grow up in a state where we experience all four seasons, and rub shoulders with some of the friendliest people in the country.

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Little Lies Parents Told Us

As an adult, have you ever thought to yourself, "My parents used to tell me 'so-and-so', but that isn't true"?  You may even get upset for a spell, thinking that you had come to believe your entire life was true when it actually wasn't.

But why would they do this?  Why would they blatantly tell their child a flat-out lie?  Well, the reasons vary; however, it was most likely due to prevent you from doing something dangerous or annoying.

Here are some of the lies parents told us as children that aren't factual.

10 Lies Parents Told Us

1.) Swimming After A Meal Will Make You Drown

• Lie: Parents would suggest that you have to wait 30 minutes to swim after eating or you'll cramp up or drown.
• Reality: It is a good idea to allow your food to digest after a meal before you dive into a pool, but the fact is that there is no proof that this is real, nor is it dangerous.

2.) Swallowing Watermelon Seeds Will Make One Grow Inside You

• Lie: Swallowing seeds from a watermelon will cause one to grow within your stomach.
• Reality: Watermelons require a substantial amount of water and sunlight to reach their full potential.  The seed not only lacks sunlight, but also does not stay within your stomach long enough to sprout.

3.) Picking Texas Bluebonnets Is Illegal

• Lie: Picking bluebonnet flowers is illegal and can land you in jail
• Reality: There is no law that states that you cannot pick bluebonnets, despite it being the official flower of the state of Texas.

4.) Touching A Toad Will Give You Warts

• Lie: Touching a toad or frog will give you warts on your hands.
• Reality: Warts come from viruses; touching a slimy toad or frog will not give you warts. Parents likely told us this to prevent us from touching them altogether.

5.) Driving At Night With the Dome Light On Is Illegal

• Lie: You cannot drive at night with the interior light of the vehicle on because it is illegal and dangerous to other drivers.
• Reality: There is no law preventing someone from driving at night with their dome light on.  Oftentimes, the light is too dim to cause any major distraction to other drivers.

6.) Step On A Crack, Break Your Mama's Back

• Lie: Stepping on a crack while walking on a sidewalk will break your mom's back.
• Reality: If this were true, then there would be a lot of mothers out there with broken backs. It is unclear how this became such a popular myth.  However, it is likely because it rhymes that it is something fun to tell children.

7.) Armadillos Shoot Bullets From Their Tail

• Lie: Armadillos can shoot you with one swoop of their tail.
• Reality: This is obviously not true. If it were, it would be fascinating to see.

8.) Texas Wind Can Blow Your Face Off

• Lie: The Texas wind is strong enough to blow your face clear off your body.
• Reality: While we experience strong winds in Texas, this is obviously not a real thing.

9.) The Chupacabra Lives Near The Oilfields

• Lie: The mythological creature named the Chupacabra lives and stalks people and prey near the oilfields.
• Reality: There is no proof that the Chupacabra is real, let alone lives anywhere, even in the oilfields.

10.) Dairy Queen "Texas Stop Sign" Is For Adults Only

• Lie: The "Texas Stop Sign" moniker/slogan from Dairy Queen is not meant for children.
• Reality: Dairy Queen does not have a marketing campaign aimed specifically at adults. Parents likely told us this because they did not want to buy us a DQ treat.