the truth behind the myths, tales and warnings every generation passes down to its kids
English language
Published Dec. 30, 2012 by Scribner.
Ken Jennings wants to find out if mother and father always know best. Yes, all those years you were told not to sit too close to the television (you'll hurt your eyes!) or swallow your gum (it stays in your stomach for seven years!) or crack your knuckles (arthritis!) are called into question by our country's leading trivia guru. Jennings separates myth from fact to debunk a wide variety of parental edicts: no swimming after meals, sit up straight, don't talk to strangers, and so on. Armed with medical case histories, scientific findings, and even the occasional experiment on himself (or his kids), Jennings exposes countless examples of parental wisdom run amok. Whether you're a parent who wants to know what you can stop worrying about or a kid (of any age) looking to say, "I told you so," this is the anti-helicopter parenting book you've been waiting for.
An excellent companion to Jan Harold Brunvand, Cecil Adams and Mythbusters, this collection centers on the things that parents have said to their kids. The humor really comes out in the writing, and I found this to be a nice light read for the summer.
Best thing I learned - just how much bacteria is spread around the bathroom by not putting the lid down before flushing. Yech!
