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
Your goldfish is sick so I’m flushing him down the toilet to get better. Later we’ll pick him up at the pet store. #WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— Ham on Wry (@realHamOnWry) May 11, 2018
2. For when their nosiest toy truck finally dies
#WhiteLiesYouTellKids They don’t make batteries for that toy anymore, aww sorry pic.twitter.com/d7cS8VAuV3
— Helen ??? (@HelenMaryMe) May 11, 2018
3. For when you just want to have something to yourself
Sorry, we are all out of ice cream.
After they go to bed ? pic.twitter.com/Z1EcVypdSG
— Lox ? (@LoxRedFox) May 11, 2018
4. For when they haven’t seen natural light in 36 hours
The wifi is down, so…no iPad for awhile. #WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— Luke, Deft ? (@LukeWheeler01) May 11, 2018
5. For when times are tight
Santa Claus had a serious budget cut this year. #WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— Shea Browning (@SheaBrowning) May 11, 2018
6. For when you just want them to eat something decent
McDonald’s is closed on Friday nights.#WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— Kevin (@kevinwxgg) May 11, 2018
7. For when a drive in the car takes a turn for the traumatic
#WhiteLiesYouTellKids the roadkill on the side of the road was just an animal taking a nap pic.twitter.com/1LGWzPKo0z
— Helen ??? (@HelenMaryMe) May 11, 2018
8. For when you’re fed up of those little hands snatching things out of yours
I don’t have any games on my phone #WhiteLiesYouTellKids pic.twitter.com/F6bFoElQJh
— Rokhiii (@justrokhi) May 11, 2018
9. For when you’re fed up of the backtalk
I never talked to my mom like that.
#WhiteLiesYouTellKids— Shelly Splainin’ ??♀️ (@sheLLbeLL_xo) May 11, 2018
10. For when you need to scare them into copping on
#WhiteLiesYouTellKids The black spots on the parking lot are kids that didn’t hold their parents hand
— Bearetta92 ? (@BrtnyPck) May 12, 2018
11. For when you just want everyone to go to bed
The Monster under the bed is vegan. #WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— RiotGrl✨ (@ErinLea7) May 11, 2018
12. And for when you really don’t feel like committing
Maybe…we’ll see. #WhiteLiesYouTellKids
— MMA_WriterMom (@sandi_langlois) May 12, 2018
We’d love to hear your white lies! Share them in the Facebook comments on Twitter.