Lying is generally frowned upon, yet we often weave little untruths into our children’s lives, especially during their formative years. From the tales of Santa Claus to the Easter Bunny, these fabrications are often justified as part of the magical childhood experience, allowing our kids to bask in innocence a little longer. Nevertheless, we find ourselves telling these fibs. Here are ten of my go-to fabrications:
- I’m almost finished. This phrase is a staple in my daily routine. I might say I’m nearly done preparing dinner, even if it’s actually still a good 30 minutes away from being ready. When it comes to brushing my child’s hair, I often say I’m almost done, even though we might be at it for a while given her curly locks and tendency to sweat during sleep. And yes, I know you want to keep playing during your bath, but I’m almost done (even if I’ve just started) washing your sticky little body, and oh my goodness, what is that in your hair?
- Dinner is delicious! Let’s be honest: it’s likely not. I may have overcooked the broccoli while trying to help you get your arm into your shirt, and those “World’s Best Chicken” recipes are probably the biggest lies ever.
- We’ll visit the park later. This “later” might stretch into tomorrow or perhaps next week. It’s more likely that your Dad will take you so I can catch up on some much-needed rest or binge another episode of my favorite show. But sure, we’ll definitely go… eventually.
- I don’t mind sharing my food. Of course not! It’s not like I ever get the chance to eat in peace, so why would I mind sharing? I can always grab a bite after you’ve left for college.
- What a fantastic drawing! Is that a stick figure next to a tree, or a walrus playing basketball in outer space? It’s all about encouragement, right?
- I love sharing baths with you. There’s nothing more entertaining than you splashing water everywhere and poking your bath toys in my face. And please, feel free to explore my belly button—it’s not like I value personal space at all!
- The candy is all gone. Except for the bag of hidden Reese’s Minis tucked away in the pantry—those are for me.
- Mommy’s going to bed too. In reality, I’ll be up for a few more hours tackling laundry, cleaning, and meal planning, all while wishing I could do these chores without getting caught.
- I have no idea where your favorite toy is. It’s definitely not tucked away in the closet behind those boxes of clothes you’ve outgrown—it’s just lost in the abyss.
- The TV is sleeping. Or perhaps I turned it off when you weren’t paying attention because I couldn’t endure another episode of Daniel Tiger discussing feelings. It was getting a bit too real around here.
I’ll have a lot of explaining to do when I meet St. Peter at the pearly gates. I wonder if he’s a fan of Reese’s…
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In summary, we all tell little white lies to navigate the challenges of parenting, often to maintain a semblance of peace or to cope with the chaos. While some of these fibs may seem harmless, they serve a purpose in our daily lives, allowing us to keep the magic alive for our children a little longer.