All parents have crazy tendencies.
Nigerian parents have perfected this “parental crazy”. Don’t get me wrong, our parents raised us well but they really dealt with us.
Our childhoods were lit af with amazing games, snacks, plenty birthday parties and Christmas clothes.
I still miss Okin biscuit and I wish someone would be buying me clothes on a regular like back when I was a kid.
Naija parents love to discipline each and every child. Our parents spanked us to keep in line. If spanking didn’t work because some of us were too stubborn, they told us stories that scared us straight.
Sometimes these stories are made up. Who am I kidding? Most of them were made up!
Here are 5 major stories (lies, all lies!!) our parents used to keep us in line back then:
1. Ojuju Calabar I don’t know if Ojuju Calabar is the Nigerian version of the Boogey man. Or maybe it’s a masquerade. All I know is that in my house: Ojuju Calabar will come and get any disobedient and errant child. Funny how we were all scared of Ojuju Calabar but have never seen one. Even today!
2. Fruit seeds growing out of your head Every Nigerian child has heard a version of this one. Ever had your parents tell you that if you swallowed a seed (say orange seed) that an orange tree will grow out of your head after a week? Many Naija kids didn’t sleep because we were too worried about becoming a walking and talking orange tree.
3. The fish and drinking water story This story was specifically invented for those children who won’t eat their food but will eat the fish on top and drink lots of water.
4. Coconut water and dullards I’m sure the reason why many of us stayed away from coconut and it’s water was because our parents told us that coconut water makes children dull.
5. Sticky Gum in Stomachs Remember when your parents told you that if you swallowed gum, it would stick in your stomach and cause problems? Yeah, we were all told that too.
What other stories did your parents tell to keep you in line?
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I still miss Okin biscuit and I wish someone would be buying me clothes on a regular like back when I was a kid.
Naija parents love to discipline each and every child. Our parents spanked us to keep in line. If spanking didn’t work because some of us were too stubborn, they told us stories that scared us straight.
Sometimes these stories are made up. Who am I kidding? Most of them were made up!Here are 5 major stories (lies, all lies!!) our parents used to keep us in line back then:
1. Ojuju Calabar I don’t know if Ojuju Calabar is the Nigerian version of the Boogey man. Or maybe it’s a masquerade. All I know is that in my house: Ojuju Calabar will come and get any disobedient and errant child. Funny how we were all scared of Ojuju Calabar but have never seen one. Even today!
2. Fruit seeds growing out of your head Every Nigerian child has heard a version of this one. Ever had your parents tell you that if you swallowed a seed (say orange seed) that an orange tree will grow out of your head after a week? Many Naija kids didn’t sleep because we were too worried about becoming a walking and talking orange tree.
3. The fish and drinking water story This story was specifically invented for those children who won’t eat their food but will eat the fish on top and drink lots of water.
4. Coconut water and dullards I’m sure the reason why many of us stayed away from coconut and it’s water was because our parents told us that coconut water makes children dull.
5. Sticky Gum in Stomachs Remember when your parents told you that if you swallowed gum, it would stick in your stomach and cause problems? Yeah, we were all told that too.
What other stories did your parents tell to keep you in line?
Love this article? Share it with your friends on Facebook And Follow Us on Twitter Follow @lifestylegist
FOLLOW US ON OUR BBM CHANNEL C002A9544 FOR LATEST GIST.
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