Mom and Dad know best...
Is it ever okay to lie?
This has been a question asked by children and adults alike for generations. While results are mixed, it’s generally good to ask yourself the following questions before telling a lie: Is it helpful? Is it kind?
Not all lies are created equal, especially where little kids are involved. Parents have a duty to protect and educate their children while simultaneously preparing them for all of the life ahead of them. Sometimes, it’s just easier to tell a small white lie instead of explain difficult truths. And sometimes, these lies can last for years to come.
Redditors were asked to share the lies their parents told or that they told as parents that ended up lasting for way longer than expected, and their stories are hilarious. What did your parents tell you?
Credit: Saban Brands, MarVista Entertainment; Reddit
Earmuffs
Credit: @erics/Shutterstock
We told our daughter when she was 3-6 that her ears wiggle when she was lying. She walked around covering her ears up all the time. Picture a 4 yr old earnestly telling you something with their ears covered and elbows straight out. Yes, I washed my hands. Nope, that’s not my popcorn on the couch. (gorillaboy75)
My sister told my niece that her ears turn red when she’s lying so she will say a lie and then say “…..did my ears turn red?” (heyybeth)
Toenails > Teeth
Credit: Mariia Masich/Shutterstock
My daughter dropped something heavy on her toe and killed the nail. I told her that when it came off that the toenail fairy would bring her money if she saved it and put it under her pillow. My wife was not amused, but the toenail fairy pays a lot. Later she told her kindergarten teacher that the toenail fairy came and gave her 20 bucks. Heard about that one in a parent teacher conference… (porcelainvacation)
Drink Up!
Credit: Africa Studio/Shutterstock
My sister would call water “ice juice” to get her kids to drink it. They hated water but loved ice juice!
When my daughter was 2 or 3, it was easter and my in laws had cooked a ham.
My daughter wanted nothing to do with the small pieces of ham we had cut up.
Around the table were some of those chocolate eggs in the foil wrappers. She knew what those were, but wasn’t allowed to have them. Someone grabbed an empty wrapper and wrapped up a piece of her ham when she wasn’t looking. Then said “here, have this”
my daughter unwrapped it and happily ate the piece, we then handed her another wrapped piece of ham. To her, this was a treat and she didn’t clue in until the 5th or 6th piece.. (G8kpr)