Don't Believe Everything Mom Says

Mom had a lot of sayings...mom-isms, if you will, such as sitting too close to the TV will ruin your eyes, and going coatless in cold weather will get you sick.

Many of them are passed on from generation to generation. In fact, maybe you have given some of this advice to your own kids. As it turns out, not everything mom told you is true. Which warnings have validity? Which are bunk?

Susan Kane, editor in chief of Parenting magazine sorted things out on "The Early Show" Friday with a true/false quiz to separate fact from fiction.

Mama Always Said: It's Important to Clean Your Plate
FALSE

The clean-plate club isn't where it's at any more. It's important to give kids the chance to stop eating based on appetite, instead of external cues like an empty bowl, says Marilyn Tanner-Blasiar, a pediatric dietitian at Washington University School of Medicine.

It helps them stay attuned to their feelings of satiety. When they lose that connection, the risk of becoming overweight goes up. But moms wouldn't be moms if they didn't worry about kids' nutrition. It's never going to be easy to let go, Tanner-Blasiar said, but if you give children healthy options and allow them to eat when they're hungry and stop when they're full, the rest will take care of itself.

Mama Always Said: Sitting Too Close to the TV Will Ruin Your Eyes
FALSE

According to the American Optometric Association, children can't harm their eyes by sitting with their noses practically pressed against the flat-screen.

Watching close-up, however, may cause eyestrain, which can lead to headaches, says Dr. Vincent Iannelli, a Dallas pediatrician. Eyestrain doesn't worsen vision, but it's not comfortable, either.

For healthier viewing, remind your children not to watch in total darkness -- the sharp contrast between the room and the TV can worsen strain -- and have them plop down about 10 feet away. If you have a child who's always sitting really close, consider getting his or her eyes checked.

Mama Always Said: Don't Frown, You will Get Wrinkles
TRUE

Furrowing your brow millions of times over your life can leave a line or two eventually. So can laughing.

There's no way to avoid it, nor any reason to try: Facial muscles move to express emotion; without them, we couldn't eat, drink, smile, or kiss. The best way to help protect your kids' faces is to load them up with SPF and keep encouraging healthy behavior: Try a vegetable. Run outside and play. And most of all, have fun!

Mama Always Said: Sit Up Straight or You Will Ruin Your Posture
TRUE

Slumping over puts major pressure on the neck, shoulders, and back, not to mention that it keeps the lungs from completely filling. Constantly scolding kids about posture is frustrating. Instead, try to keep your kids active, says Patrice Winter, a physical therapist and assistant professor at George Mason University. It will give their muscles the strength needed to maintain alignment -- without nagging!

Mama Always Said: Put on A Coat Or You Will Catch Cold
FALSE

The only thing your kid is likely to get from being outside in the cold is... cold.

"When I was growing up, my grandmother insisted I bundle up in even slightly cold weather because 'getting cold could make you sick,'" says Sue Stevens of Arlington, Texas. "I knew from my school health class that she was wrong and that germs make you sick. I let my own son play in the rain, sleep under a ceiling fan, and play soccer in short pants in freezing weather. He never had colds afterward!"

That's because only cold and flu viruses cause those illnesses. There is some research that suggests that prolonged exposure to chilly temps may dampen the immune system. But that's not the same as making you sick. So if your kid wants to tough out the chilly season in his skimpy but oh-so-hip hoodie, save yourself the fight. Let him!

Mama Always Said: Eat Your Breakfast
TRUE

There is no doubt that breakfast is the most important meal of the day.

Studies have proven that children who eat a good morning meal perform better in school. Plus, many breakfast foods are excellent sources of calcium, iron, and fiber, all of which tend to be lacking in many children's diets. If your kids are picky breakfast eaters, have them grab a handful of raisins, some dry cereal, or even some leftover pizza to nibble on when they're ready.