The Safer Alternative
Kids love bubblegum, that’s just a fact of life. But the OP loved it so much as a kid that she went to sleep with gum in her mouth, only to wake up the gum in her hair. Tired of having haircuts to get the gum out, the OP kept their bedtime gum in a safer spot.
In her armpits. Granted, the gum didn’t get tangled in her hair, which was probably a win for both the OP and her mom. She got to keep her gum and chew it, too, which is what she was after the whole time. At least, that’s what we assume. There’s no telling what goes on in the mind of a kid who puts gum in their armpits.