I was just thinking about some of the things that rated 11 on the Mom scale of dangerous activities. The things that always got a full panic reaction
Sticking a metal fork in the Toaster. Aparently the heating coils created Tachyon field of instant death should anything penetrate the top plane of the Toaster. The field is intensified in a Microwave so that it will destroy most of the galaxy should it be turned on with metal.
Dented cans. All dented cans must immediatedly be conveyed and thrown into Mt. Doom before the unspeakable evil inside is released.
Running over the cord with the vacuum cleaner. So danagerous the ‘or else’ was even never whispered.
Anything with Mayo that has been out side the fridge for any contiguous time interval longer than ‘One Meal’
Not doing whatever it is that my mom wants me to do at that moment. She will find a way to show how it will result in the destruction of all that is good and holy. Or it might result in HER having to do it, a far far worse fate.
Driving.
Being a passenger in a car that anyone else except your dad or I am driving.
Crossing the street.
Being at the houses of people I don’t know.
Talking on the phone when it’s storming.
Hanging out with other kids that might want to play “the choking game”.
Microwaving things.
I know, it’s awful! I worry so much, that sometimes I feel that I really shouldn’t have had children. There’s so many things out there that you can’t control, and as a control* freak*, I don’t like that. But my boys are pretty good at letting me worry out loud when I need to, and telling me to stop when I don’t need to.
My mother was completely and utterly convinced that anyone riding in a car without shoes on would be immediately caught, prosecuted, and sent for a long, long stint at Sing Sing. The thought of actually DRIVING barefoot was so horrific it was not to be borne. I never really figured out exactly why.
I’ve deduced that in my parents’ day, ceiling fans were made out of scrap metal and razor blades, 'cuz everyone of that age is scared to death of the things.