I don't know about you; but for me, as a mother, one of the biggest lessons I try to teach my children is that of honesty. Lessons of "always tell the truth...no matter what", are taught from an early age in our house.
However.....
I may not have always followed my own advice when it comes to honesty with my children. You know what I mean, don't you? Sometimes for the sake of your own sanity; and quite often for their own well being, you just HAVE to tell, an "untruth" (this is where you play the imaginary "Dun Dun Dun" sound in your head) Now, to be clear, I've never lied about important things to them: family matters, health questions etc.
So what lies or "untruths" have I dared to tell my children?
1. I have Santa's Phone Number! (and you have to be 25 before I'll tell you what it is) The discussion of whether or not Santa is real has never come up in our house. "In order to receive, you must believe" is the general rule around here. However, when my oldest son was about 5 years old, he went through a slight "misbehaving" phase shortly before Christmas. I told him if he didn't behave, I would call Santa and tell him not to come to our house with presents for him this year. He promptly responded with "you can't call Santa...you don't know his phone number!"
Well...BRING. IT. ON. little boy!!!
"Yes, I do have Santa's phone number!"
"Well, I want to know Santa's phone number!"
"No, you're not old enough"
"How old do I have to be?"
"25"
"I have to wait THAT long?!"
"Yes...yes you do."
The Santa's phone number story continues to be brought up today....even though he's now 11 years old, and well...I think the Santa conversation is now more for my benefit than his!
2. It doesn't REALLY hurt...THAT much.
"No...that shot you're getting ready to have isn't going to hurt you at all"
"This medicine that we have to put on to that cut on your knee isn't going to sting...well maybe for a moment."
3. No, the roller coaster doesn't go VERY fast.
It actually goes faster than your young mind can fathom; but hey...it's a right of passage for everyone; and who am I to deny you this moment in life?!
4. No, it doesn't have any vegetables in it at all.
At least none that you can see! We'll not discuss the celery, carrots, onion and peppers that I blended up and dissolved into the sauce.
We also won't discuss the fact that that bread you're eating has carrots AND zucchini in it *GASP*
5. No, I have never ever done that....
*Sigh* but I probably really have; and I know one day, you probably will too.
Lies are a necessary evil of parenting sometimes. As parents, I don't believe we tell lies from a place of malice. I think we sometimes lie to our children with the intentions of protecting them or for their well being. Sometimes we lie to our children because there are times in which life just needs to be experienced without a preview. Always be honest when and where you have to be with your children; but don't beat yourself up over a few little white lies. After all, they will probably grow up and tell their own children the very same ones!
Have a great day, and I'll see you again tomorrow!
Linky parties:
1. Not So Wordless Wednesday
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