What's something your parents did that you used to think was stupid but now totally understand?

1. My parents used to give me a dollar if I could find police cars on the road. It was the easiest thing in the world and I thought I was scamming my mom and dad. I realized later that it kept me quiet during car rides and helped them avoid speed traps. Double win for them, I'm sure it was worth every penny.
   — Ridiculous_Diagnosis


2. Insist that I always take a shit before I come to them complaining of feeling ill. You'd be surprised how often that shit works!
   — kewl_as_fuck


3. They used to be really particular about whose houses I was allowed to stay the night at when I was younger. I used to think they just didn't trust me but now I know that they didn't trust any other adults that may have been around
   — unltdsky






4. My mom would sometimes just lock my brother and myself out of the house for hours, we would play and have fun but then eventually would just go back to the house to wait for her to unlock the doors. I now know exactly why she did this because I do the same thing to my dog whenever my SO and I have sex.
   — mdicke3


5. My dad would "tax" my food. He'd take a bite of my ice cream, popcorn or whatever he had to buy me that day.
   — notsofastandy


6. Got all our names mixed up
   — vsmile13






7. Taking a lot of pictures of me. There's certain events in my life from the age of 4-10 I'd completely forgotten till I saw the photos.
   — buizel123


8. As a child I used to call my parents out on everything I saw as being illogical. Rarely did I get a good answer. Now I'm a father of four. And those things that seemed illogical, the ones I never got a good answer for? *They sound worse.*
   — Yerushalmi


9. My Ma used to rip the quad-fold napkins into quarters and each of us kids had a quarter napkin at dinner. I thought it was ridiculous then. Now? I know that kids don't even use napkins and she was saving pennies. I did not realize how every penny mattered while growing up. Her frugal-ness stays with me. Saves me ...pennies.
   — Stabfacenotback






10. Insisting on me cleaning my room. I never used to care, but not I hate stumbling over things or not being able to find what I need.
    — MrTomDawson


11. Making me take a nap. Now I live for them.
    — sociable-introvert


12. Get really angry about leaving lights on. I don't think you can really care about it until you have to pay an electricity bill EDIT: Right guys, I am aware that LED lightbulbs exist. I own some. I am aware that light are not really a big cost anymore. It is a general point I am making, although I am in the habit of turning lights off
    — jimmyrayreid