I was intrigued to know more about what people with non-strict parents were able to get away with and what that experience was like growing up. Here are some of the most interesting responses I found, based on the hypothetical questions posed by creators and a number of sub-Reddits:
1. They get to let their impulsive thoughts win.
"I once made a makeshift fidget spinner using one of my mum's (unused) tampons."
3. They don't get flamed for "tripping balls", as long as they're safe.
"One night, I was having a really bad acid trip at a pool party and I called my mum and she told me to come home, so I did. I sat on the patio with her at 2am until 7am, when she finally went to bed. She stayed up with me just talking about everything while I was tripping balls."
—u/DartFarmAce
4. They can survive almost setting a house on fire.
"Set the upstairs on fire (a little, but filled the place with black smoke). Got it put out via bucket brigade, with me and my brother running cups of water from the bathtub. Dad was downstairs. When all was calm I came down and told him. His reply was exactly: 'Well, get it cleaned up.' Then he returned to his glass of red and kept watching TV."
—u/Jovokna
5. They can throw parties without supervision.
6. They do questionable things, without consequences.
"When I was around 16, one night my friends and I got really drunk and stole an entire outdoor patio set from one of our neighbours and set it up on our back porch. My mom never even mentioned it."
—u/P0pwar
7. They are allowed to fail and not be made to feel overwhelming guilty about it.
8. They don't need to go around their parents and they feel that they can approach them with anything.
In a post from deleted Reddit user, "If I went to a party, she'd take me and pick me up. In high school, she bought me vodka and champagne for New Years and other parties, provided I didn't leave wherever she dropped me off at. I always knew I could call her if I got in trouble or just wanted to leave. I'd love to say that it made me feel like I could tell her anything... but it didn't. I always knew she'd have my back, though...and that's something."
9. They get to hang out with friends without a curfew and go through life without the pressure of good grades.
"My parents were always lenient about going out with friends. I never had a night curfew and grades weren't really enforced on me. They know I'll always come back safe and when I say something I'll do it."
"I believe I'm more of a carefree person because my parents were lenient. I definitely grew up more relaxed."
—u/tommyprosi
10. They can ask to eat McDonald's, instead of what's already been prepped for dinner and their parents are okay with it.
11. They can sneak out, again, as long as they're safe and have fun?
We want to know what your parents were like growing up. Share your stories of childhood trauma or triumph in the comments below!
P.S. I love my semi-strict parents. Hi mum!
Note: Responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.