My god do you live under a rock?
I heard this line about three times a day growing up. It never really bothered me at first, but the older I got the more I realized that my friends were a lot more aware of what was going on in the world than I was.
My parents hardcore sheltered me, and as a child I resented it. I was always out of the loop, couldn't hang out with my friends when I wanted, do what they were doing, or even talk on my home phone without permission. This went on until the end of my 8th grade year when I finally got a cellphone and was allowed to be a real kid.
Looking back now I know that my parents did this to protect me and keep me safe, but it still sucked. Children of strict parents always came up with tricks to help us fit in, tricks that usually work and keep us out of trouble.
1. Changing clothes at school
You leave the house wearing parent approved clothing, but have your back up outfit in your bag. When you get to school you would go to the bathroom and change, and then change back again before you got on the bus home. It's not fun being sneaky, but it's also not cool wearing a 5 year olds clothes.
2. Lying about a friends name/gender
I was only allowed to have girl friends when I was younger. If my parents knew I had a friend who was a boy I got in trouble, no clue why. So instead of saying your friend Jimmy will be at Sara's birthday party, you change his name to Jessie so they think it's a girl. 9 out of 10 times this works, but there is always that one parent that needs to come inside and check every kid.
3. Borrowing makeup
Being a normal adult I understand that this is completely unsanitary and asking for an eye infection, but in middle school it was totally ok. The girls would go to the bathroom together and swap makeup. You'd share some glittery eyeshadow and mascara. The tricky part was remembering to wash it all off before you went home for the day and got in huge trouble.
4. Constantly explaining your curfew
No I can't sneak out. No I can't go to a party. NO I can't ask my parents again why I can't come. Do you want me to die? They are strict and scary people that I don't want to anger.
5. Pretend every lecture has deep meaning
Yes mother, this 10 minute lecture you just gave me because I made a joke about a mildly inappropriate subject will really help me in life. Cross my heart.