Let's just admit it: Most moms and dads lie to their kids. Often. Whether it's to convince your kids to eat their veggies (like "Not eating carrots will make you go blind!") or to make them smile (Santa Claus, the Tooth Fairy), it seems like storytelling just kinda comes with the territory of parenthood.
I know that when I was a kid, my parents used to tell me all kinds of stories (that we now look back on and laugh at) all just to get me to behave. My personal favorite? One time, my mom actually managed to convince my older sister and I that she owned a magical makeup compact that allowed her to see us wherever we were! For months, we acted like perfect little angels in fear that she would peek into her compact mirror and catch us misbehaving. Pretty smart move, Mom!
But it turns out she's far from the only parent to tell their child a white lie.
A recent study conducted on 200 families in the U.S. and China find that an overwhelming majority of parents use "instrumental lying" to get their kids to behave well, eat better, and feel happier. The research also found some of the most common lies that parents tell their kids.
And I have to admit that when I read them, I couldn't help but laugh … especially because some of them sounded awfully familiar!
Check these 8 most out below and see if you've used any of those fibs on your children:
"There's no more candy"
"There's no more candy in the house" (when, of course, there actually is) is one of the most commonly used untrue statements related to eating.
"That sounds great"
Telling your instrument-playing kids that "that sounds beautiful" is sometimes necessary to prevent their feelings from getting hurt!
"Broccoli makes you taller"
Parents will go to all kinds of lengths to get their kids to eat healthy! And I think it's pretty clear that lying–like “Finish all your veggies or you won't grow" or "You'll go blind if you don't eat your carrots"–is the preferred method of persuasion.
"Behave or I'll leave you here alone"
How many times have you threatened to leave your kids somewhere alone when they're misbehaving or don't want to leave? Well, according to the study, you're definitely not the only one to do so! Some parents even take it one step further, telling kids "If you don't follow me, a kidnapper will kidnap you while I'm gone."
"I'll buy it later"
Walking into a store of any kind–from a supermarket to a toystore–with a child can be an ordeal. Why? As most parents know, they're bound to find something they want! no matter where you are! Enter the lie: "I don't have money on me, I'll come back and buy it later."
"I'm gonna call the police"
Another common way to keeping kids in line? Threatening to call the police on them!
Tooth fairy
Fantasy myths, like the Tooth Fairy or Santa Claus, aren't so much about getting kids to behave as they are about giving them something to look forward to … although when a tooth gets wiggly or Christmas starts to roll around, many parents do use these characters as a way of reminding their kids to be good!
"Your pet went to a farm"
According to the study, many parents spare their kids heartbreak by telling them that their deceased pets have actually gone to live on a farm "where they'll have space to run around." Groan.
