As a kid, the strict rules set by your parents felt incredibly unfair and frustrating.
Whether it was an early bedtime, limited screen time, or endless chores, it all seemed designed to make life as miserable as possible. But as you get older, you start to realise that many of those rules weren’t just pointless restrictions — they actually helped turn you into a more responsible, well-rounded person. You might have resented these things as a kid, but these days, you probably see the value in them (and maybe even set them for your own kids!).
1. Having a set bedtime
Nothing felt more unfair than having to go to bed when you weren’t even tired. Meanwhile, adults got to stay up as late as they wanted, which only made it worse. It felt like a pointless rule, especially when you had things you wanted to do, like watching TV or talking to friends.
Now, getting enough sleep is something you actually value. You realise how much better you function when you’re well-rested, and probably even wish you had that same level of structure now. Turns out, your parents were just looking out for your future self.
2. No dessert before dinner
When you were younger, nothing sounded better than skipping the boring meal and going straight to the good stuff. Being told you had to eat your vegetables first felt like unnecessary torture. After all, what was the harm in having a little cake before dinner?
Now, you get it. Balanced meals actually matter, and too much sugar too soon just makes you crash later. Plus, there’s something satisfying about enjoying a treat when you know you’ve already had something nutritious first.
3. Being forced to say “please” and “thank you”
As a kid, constantly being reminded to use good manners could feel annoying. Why did it matter so much? Why did adults care so much about hearing those magic words? It felt like unnecessary effort, especially when you were just asking for something simple.
Now, you see how much manners actually impact interactions. Saying “please” and “thank you” isn’t just about being polite; it makes people more likely to help you out and creates better relationships. It’s one of those little things that go a long way.
4. No TV until homework was done
Nothing was worse than sitting inside doing schoolwork while your favourite show was on. It felt like a cruel punishment, especially when you knew you could do both at the same time (or at least thought you could).
Looking back, it makes sense. Getting work done first means you can actually enjoy your free time without stress hanging over you. Plus, it probably saved you from a few last-minute panic sessions before school the next day.
5. Limited screen time
When you were younger, being told you could only watch TV for an hour or had to put away your phone felt like an attack on your freedom. Why did parents care so much about how much time you spent on screens?
Now, you see how easy it is to get sucked into endless scrolling or binge-watching. Those limits actually helped you develop other interests and spend time doing things that didn’t involve staring at a screen all day.
6. No junk food for breakfast
Source: Unsplash A bowl of ice cream or a handful of crisps first thing in the morning sounded amazing as a kid. Being told you had to eat something “healthy” instead felt unnecessary. Who decided that cereal was okay, but a chocolate bar wasn’t?
Now, you get it. Starting the day with actual nutrients gives you way more energy than a sugar rush that disappears in an hour. Those “boring” breakfasts your parents made you eat were actually setting you up for a better day.
7. Having to finish what was on your plate
Nothing was more frustrating than sitting at the dinner table staring at food you didn’t want to eat. It felt like a battle every single time, especially when you weren’t even hungry.
Now, you understand why waste wasn’t an option. Learning to appreciate food and not be picky has probably saved you from some awkward adult situations where you had to eat something you didn’t love but needed to be polite about.
8. Helping with household chores
As a kid, chores felt like the worst kind of punishment. Cleaning your room, doing dishes, or taking out the rubbish seemed unfair when you just wanted to have fun. It always felt like there was something better to do.
Now, you realise those chores actually taught you responsibility. Knowing how to clean up after yourself and take care of a home is a life skill you’re probably grateful for now that you don’t have anyone else to do it for you.
9. Having a curfew
Being told you had to be home by a certain time felt like a ridiculous rule when you were younger. You just wanted a little more freedom, and every minute past your curfew felt like a battle.
Now, you understand that it wasn’t about control; it was about safety. Your parents wanted to make sure you were okay, and having a set time to be home helped keep things in check.
10. No swearing
Being told off for saying a “bad word” felt so dramatic as a kid. They were just words, right? It never made sense why adults could say them, but kids couldn’t. You probably said them around your friends, but you knew better than to utter profanity around your parents or any other adults.
Now, you get that knowing when and where to use certain words is part of communication. It’s not about never swearing; it’s about knowing when it’s appropriate and when it’s not.
11. No phones at the dinner table
As a kid, being forced to put your phone away at meals felt pointless. You could still listen while texting, right? What was the big deal? All your friends are texting while they eat, so why can’t you?
Now, you see how rare it is to have uninterrupted time with people. Those phone-free meals actually created moments of connection that are hard to come by as an adult.
12. Apologising even when you didn’t feel like it
Saying sorry when you weren’t actually sorry felt impossible as a kid. Sometimes, you just didn’t think you were in the wrong, and being forced to apologise only made you more annoyed. Plus, since you didn’t mean it, it surely didn’t count, so what was the point of saying it in the first place?
Now, you see that apologies are more than just admitting fault; they help to keep relationships healthy. Learning how to say sorry, even when it’s hard, is something that comes in handy more than you ever expected.
13. No leaving the table until everyone was done eating
As a kid, this rule made meals feel like they lasted forever. If you finished early, you just had to sit there, waiting. It felt pointless when you had other things you wanted to do. It was especially boring if you were an only child and everyone else at the table was an adult.
Now, you see that meals are more than just eating — they’re a time to connect with other people you care about. Sitting together, rather than rushing off, creates a sense of togetherness that’s actually pretty nice.
14. Writing thank-you notes
Writing out thank-you notes for every birthday or holiday gift felt like a chore. Why couldn’t a simple “thanks” in person be enough? It seemed over the top and a bit of a pain, and you hated doing it (or at least found it really annoying).
Now, you understand the importance of gratitude. Taking the time to appreciate people’s kindness makes a difference, and those little notes probably meant more to the recipient than you realised.
15. No saying “because I don’t want to” as an excuse
As a kid, not wanting to do something should have been reason enough to get out of it. Being forced to explain yourself felt unnecessary.
Now, you realise that communication matters. Learning to express your reasons rather than just shutting down a conversation helps in relationships, work, and life in general.
