8 Scary Things ALL Malaysian Millennials Used to Believe As Kids Thanks to Their Parents

As kids, it was only natural for us to believe every little thing our parents told us. Whether what they told us was true or not was another story altogether. However, now that we’re older, it’s evident that most of the scary stuff they told us were just made-up stories to get us to do certain things for them. Well, with Halloween around the corner, here are some scary stuff your parents said that you might remember, especially if you were a naughty playful kid:

1. If you stay at the playground until late, the ghost will find you and eat you

Source: colaradoboulevard

Most of our childhood was either spent watching Tom & Jerry or running around the playground. Sometimes, we would be having so much fun at the playground, we would come home too late and our dinner would be cold. Hence the stories about children-eating ghosts at the playground that would scare us into coming home early.

2. You must wash your hands and feet before entering the house, if not the ghost will follow you inside

Source: videoblocks

Kids generally don’t bother with cleanliness or hygiene. The only time we’d willingly use soap is when we wanted to make bubbles in the toilet. That’s why our parents had to make up stories about ghosts following us home if we didn’t clean up after ourselves before entering the house.

3. If you cry in public, the police will catch you and throw you in jail

Source: usprisonculture

We knew for a fact that policemen have one important job, and that’s to catch all the bad people and throw them into jail. So it made complete sense that they would catch us too if we were being a nuisance in public.

4. If you eat too many sweets, or you don’t brush your teeth, the ghost will come and pluck out all your teeth 

Source: shutterstock

As Malaysian kids, we weren’t told about the tooth fairy, but rather, about the ghost that would pluck out all our teeth if we didn’t look after them properly. This was obviously terrifying on so many levels. I don’t want to lose my teeth!!!

5. If you take things without permission, you will wake up without a hand

Source: greenpeace

This was easily one of the worst, most terrifying lies our parents could’ve told us in order to make sure we don’t steal or take things that don’t belong to us. While it may have been done in good faith, some of us thought we would lose a hand after we accidentally brought our friend’s belongings home with us!

6. If you don’t clean your room, the monsters will have more places to hide

Source: pinterest

It’s a good thing this wasn’t true or we’d still have a ton of monsters hiding in our bedrooms…

7. If you laugh too much at night, you will get nightmares

Source: shutterstock

If you’ve read this far, you probably realise just how desperate our parents were at trying to make sure we behaved. Well, bedtime was no exception. We were probably playing, laughing, screaming and having fun with our siblings while our parents were desperately trying to put us to sleep. The only way to get us to calm down was to tell us we’d get nightmares… and no kid likes nightmares.

8. If you make more noise, we’re leaving you here

Source: verywellfamily

Whether we’re at the side of the road or in a mall, this was one way our parents “encouraged” us to stop being naughty. You probably recall the terrifying moment your parents pretended to walk away and leave you all by your lonesome self. That was terrifying okay!!

Fortunately, we all grew up and realised this was all untrue and we didn’t have to live in fear for the rest of our lives. On the other hand, now that a lot of us are all grown up, we can’t help but use these scare tactics on our kids, nieces, nephews, or younger siblings too. And it’s honestly quite helpful. 

However, with Halloween drawing near, here’s something else (a little less scary and a lot more exciting) you could do to keep you and your kids preoccupied!

Source: wob

That’s right, Paradigm Mall is holding a family-friendly Happy Ballooween event this 18 to 28 October that both kids and adults can take part in!

Some of the exciting activities include:

• Pumpkin Bat Workshop
• Popcorn & Cotton Candy Giveaway
• Clown Balloonist & Magician Performance
• Stained Glass Halloween Hanging Decor Workshop
• Wooden Candle Holder Workshop

You’ll also get to take part in a Trick or Treating activity when you drop by on 27 October! Just make sure you register here first.

Additionally, if you or your kids love listening to stories, make sure you drop by Paradigm Mall on 24th October for the Hansel & Gretel Storytelling Session by The Story Book!

Apart from these, there will also be some extra special Halloween festivities such as Trick or Treating and a Halloween Costume Tea Party!

In order to take part in the Halloween Costume Tea Party, attendees are simply required to spend a minimum of RM50 at Paradigm and you’ll get to join the Party for FREE!

For those of you with the WCT Buddy app, you only need to spend RM20!

ICYMI, the WCT Buddy app is a multi-store, multi-mall cardless rewards programme by WCT Malls that offers you benefits and rewards when you spend at participating stores.

If you want in on these rewards, or you want to join in on all the tea party fun this Halloween at just RM20, make sure you download the app here!

Source: wob

Source: wob

Additionally, if you have an Instagram account, make sure you take photos of your kids amidst the Halloween backdrop and post it! Tag ParadigmPJ and hashtag #ParadigmPJxBallooween to stand a chance to win some prizes!

Find out more about Paradigm’s exciting Happy Ballooween event here!

Also, a gentle reminder not to touch the balloon sculptures!