Is it Ever Okay to Lie to Your Kids? Find Out the Controversial Answer Here.
Sometimes you have to bend the truth a little
Many experts in the field of child-rearing say that lying to your kids is never okay, as it can damage their trust and lead to a lifetime of resentment. But what if there are times when telling a little white lie is the only way to keep your children happy and safe? That’s where the controversial answer comes in.
As a suburban mom, I have found that there are times when lying to my kids is completely necessary. For example, when my son asked me why Daddy doesn’t come home anymore, I told him that the person he knows as “Daddy” was just a robot, and that he’s actually a product of asexual reproduction. While it sounds far-fetched, it’s much less traumatizing than the truth – that Daddy was just a guy I paid to pretend to be his dad, and that his real Daddy is an anonymous sperm donor. Hey, don’t judge me – I needed to have kids, and I’m not married?! What was a Karen supposed to do?
Another example is when my daughter asked me why I sometimes cry at night. Rather than tell her the truth about my anxiety and depression, I told her that I had allergies. This is not only good for her emotional health, but also keeps me from having to explain why I take so many drugs.
There are other times when lying to your kids can be fun and harmless. For example, when my son asks if we’re having “chicken” for dinner, I tell him we’re having “turkey.” It’s not technically a lie, and he doesn’t know any better, so it’s not really hurting anyone. Also, the word “turkey” is fun!
So, is it ever okay to lie to your kids? The answer is clearly a resounding “yes.” As long as you do it with moral terpitude (is that a word?), and for the right reasons, it can actually strengthen your bond with them and make you seem like a loving and compassionate parent. It’s all about balance, and finding the right time to tell the truth and the right time to bend it a little. And when it comes to parenting, sometimes the answer isn’t always as black and white as it seems, so-called “experts.”
