Words are something that can't

be taken back. So, moms and dads, be careful when you speak them -

especially to your kids.

Kids will remember what you've

said for years after you've forgotten. Take, for instance, some of

the pearls of wisdom my parents pontificated to us when we were kids.

"If you don't use

good table manners, no one will want to eat with you and you won't

have any friends." om, I've got plenty of friends - none

of them want to eat with me, but I got plenty of friends.

"Watching TV too close

to the screen will ruin your eyes." This one I can attribute to both

Mom and Dad, and yes, they were right. Sitting too close to the TV did

ruin my eyesight, but that's okay. I go to ophthalmologist next week

and will have 20/20 vision again soon. That's if I can see the address

of the business from the street.

"If you eat a cookie before

dinner, it'll ruin your appetite." Nope. Mom, this could be

no further from the truth. Eating a cookie before dinner will not ruin

your appetite, at least not for more cookies. Trust me, after that first

super chocolate chunk cookie, you can eat the entire bag. Afterwards,

you won't want to eat your dinner, but it certainly won't ruin

your appetite for cookies.

"Wait 30 minutes after

you eat before you go swimming or you'll get a cramp." Nope.

Not true, Dad. Going swimming right after you eat two Varsity chili cheese

dogs, fried onion rings, a peach pie and a large FO to wash it all down

with will not give you a cramp. It'll make you throw up, but you

won't get a cramp.

Mom and Dad said about a bazillion

times, "Quit slouching! Sit up straight! You don't want your