criminals

I thought that when someone was called an "ex-con," I didn't know that meant "ex-convict." I thought it meant that the person was an "ex-con artist." I thought he or she used to con people out of money, but not anymore.

Matt Thiel

I grew up in a very rural area, and there were signs posted on the neighbor's fenced property stating "No Trespassers - Violators will be Prosecuted". I used to think it meant that the penalty was death.

Kek

When i was little I lived in an area where there were some kidnappings, and i was the neighborhood know it all. Well my parents told me that this kidnapping was happening and that the man drove a white van, so every time i saw a white van (the one w/o windows, you know the ones) I would hide, no matter where it was, especially under cars. Do you know how many clothes i ruined! I thought that all white vans would take me away and i would never see my family again.

SL

We had a juvenile detention center right down the road from my house, and my father used to say that they'd send me there if I was bad. I'm not sure if I ever wholly believed this, but it sure looked like a cold and scary place. I really didn't like the idea.

Laura W.

I used to believe that burglars came into our house every night to kill us, and the only thing that protected me from them was pulling the covers all the way over my head. This used to get very hot, so I decided that they could not kill me if just my head was showing.

Lilly

I used to believe when a criminal got out of jail and was on probation that he had to go see an officer (or counsilor) once a week AND pass drug tests - or go back to jail. My sister's ex-boyfriend proved the movies and tv shows lied.

no one

This is from the good old times when i was young and innocent and didn't know about french kissing - I always wondered about that strange kind of kisses the people on screen enjoyed and my mother told me it was illegal to kiss each other the "real" (child safe) way on stage and so they did id that way.

usedtobesoinnocent

I used to believe that I was going to jail for tearing the tag of pillow.

Jeff

My stepfather told us a story of a guy named STUBS in Carbon Cliff in IL. At the Mansor Woods boy cubs scout camp. He would tell us that when he was a boy at the camp they were playing in the woods and a little boy got lost when they found him he was tied to a tree with both legs cut off. He said that the kid maid cruches and went around killing and destroying things in and around Carbon Cliff. Which yes the camp burned down shortly after and they said that there was a shadow of someone on chruches seen running away from the camp. Still to this day I hate that Camp site which is now a apartment complex Called Mansor Woods

Amanda IL.

I used to think that my aunt had been in jail. While incarcerated, a rat came up through the toilet and bit her in the butt. As a result, she had a hairy butt. I was terrified of falling in toilets but was still able to use them. I did make sure, however, to SLAM the seatcover shut! PS My aunt was never in jail and does not have a hairy butt(that I know of) I believed this until I was about 10-years old when I made mention of it and my mother corrected me.

Crystal R. in Chicago

I have 4 older brother who were always in trouble one way or another, one time when I was little I heard my mom say my one brother was arrested last night for Jay-walking. I couldnt get the picture out if my head. I didnt understand what it meant. I pictured him walking down the street naked, because I associated the term Jay-walking with the term "Naked as a Jay-bird!" I know better now. :)

Heather in Florida

when i was 4or5 i thought if i was naughty i would get sent to jail.

JESSELEE GWYNNE (VICTORA)