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Parenting

15th May 2018

‘They don’t make batteries for that toy anymore’: Parents share their white lies

Because every parent is a skilful liar.

Anna O'Rourke

How to understand what you toddler is thinking, according to psychologist David Coleman

Parents have to take a win where they can, even if it means bending the truth to do so.

Every mum and dad becomes a skilled liar – it’s crucial to their survival as a parent.

Blessedly, small children are relatively gullible and therefore easy to manipulate with mistruths. They get more savvy as they get older, at which point bribery becomes necessary so make the most of their innocence while you can.

The mums and dads of Twitter have been sharing the best white lies they’ve told their kids, so why not take inspiration for your own repertoire from them?

There’s a lie for every scenario – here are some of our favourites.

1. For when the family pet has gone to a better place

2. For when their nosiest toy truck finally dies

3. For when you just want to have something to yourself

4. For when they haven’t seen natural light in 36 hours

5. For when times are tight

6. For when you just want them to eat something decent

7. For when a drive in the car takes a turn for the traumatic

8. For when you’re fed up of those little hands snatching things out of yours

9. For when you’re fed up of the backtalk

10. For when you need to scare them into copping on

11. For when you just want everyone to go to bed

12. And for when you really don’t feel like committing

 

We’d love to hear your white lies! Share them in the Facebook comments on Twitter.