We often feel nostalgic for a time when our imaginations were free and life wasn’t so serious when we remember things from our childhood. But there are some memories that are better left behind. Our list below has 8 of the saddest stories people have told about their childhood.

My mom died of breast cancer when I was five years old. My dad, sisters, and I were led to the front pew at our church service, and everyone was so nice. Everyone around me started crying when the pastor spoke. My dad cried the most. I remember asking myself why they were all crying, and when it wouldn’t stop, I joined in. I didn’t understand why we were crying. I thought my mom was just “resting” at the hospital like she did all the time. Thanks, PositiveSupercoil and Reddit

As a child, I would tell my friends, teachers, and anyone else who would listen that I could sleep for more than 24 hours straight. Just as I was about to say that I was a freshman in college, I realized that my divorced dad had been giving me cold medicines in preschool so I could sleep through his weekends of custody. For a while, it changed the way I saw the world. (klentz9210) on Reddit

I used to get “treats” from my big brother like M&Ms, brownies, cheese, and bread. I didn’t figure out he was sneaking me food because we weren’t being fed for years. A 3-year-old stole food for me, so I’m healthy and able to do things today. Not Sure Who Wrote It/Reddit

Mom was told she had late-stage cancer when I was 10. “I want to take you out of this tough situation and give your mom a break,” my school friend’s dad said when he heard about it. He offered to take me on vacation with me.
He asked me quickly, “Oh, do you have enough money to pay for your dinner?” on the first night, while we were at the coast. At the time, we didn’t have much money, so I wasn’t sure if my mom had given them any. I was 10 years old, so I had no idea how much dinner should cost, and I began to worry. He laughed at me and got me something to eat and drink.
I was worried the whole holiday that I would leave my mom with a huge debt to this man because I had to go out to eat with his family. He told the same “joke” every time we ate or went to do something. I felt bad not going to the pool because I didn’t want to add to “the bill.”
My mom’s health had gotten worse by the time I got back. I didn’t ask her about “the bill,” but it was on my mind a lot. Now that I’m an adult, I see how mean that was. It hurts so much today. I hope that person never made his child feel that way. From XoloGlumTree on Reddit

My bigger sister came into the bathroom while I was taking a bath in the second grade to play with my toys. My father was having a stroke at the time, and my sister was making sure I didn’t finish my bath before the paramedics arrived. I didn’t find out about this until much later. Kant4x on Reddit

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