ADVERTISEMENT

Parenting is all about unconditional love, empathy, and family values. But it also involves a few bottles of wine, bribery, and lying. Fortunately, moms and dads aren't sugar-coating any of it.

To show you that being a hypocrite isn't necessarily a bad thing, Bored Panda put together a list of tweets where parents share the times they... stretched the truth with their kids. From the classic "I can see it from here" to the new-age "Hummus is princess food", we included them all. Enjoy!

However, people should be really careful when it comes to lying to kids. Imagine this: An adult meets a child and says: "There is a huge bowl of candy in the next room. Want to go get some?" The child agrees and follows the adult into the room.

But there is no candy.

The adult admits it was a lie, explaining, "I just said that because I wanted you to come play with me."

This was the first step in an experiment by Chelsea Hays and Leslie Carver. The researchers subjected 46 children to this trick, and as you can probably guess, these kids felt disappointed. But the children were polite and agreed to play with the adult anyway.

This leads to the second part of the experiment—a guessing game.

ADVERTISEMENT
#4

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

geath81 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My dad is the only one of our family who eats Brussels sprouts: had a friend over for tea in high school, he asked her if she liked Brussels sprouts, she exclaimed "oh no, they're gross! But I do like those little cabbage things" (meaning the sprouts). Proud of my fam , none of them blinked an eye. I guess she just said "ew Brussels sprouts" coz we all did/other ppl do, without realising

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

For this phase, each child was asked to stare straight ahead while the adult held a toy behind the child's back.

The toy represented a familiar fictional character (like Winnie the Pooh, or the Cookie Monster), and the child had to guess the identity of the toy without looking.

#7

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

Lhlodder Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kira Okah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a kid, I was told, simply enough, tht you should wear your seatbelt in the car because without it a car crash can kill you. I don't see why this situation would require a lie when the truth is perfectly fine here.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

After playing two rounds of the game, the adult suddenly told the child that she had to leave for a minute to answer a phone call.

She said she'd be right back and the two of them would continue the game. Meanwhile, she explained, she was going to leave behind the next toy to be identified (she covered it so the child couldn't see what it was) and put it on a table.

ADVERTISEMENT

"Don't peek while I'm gone!" she said.

ADVERTISEMENT
#9

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

Leecooper74 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jyri Hakola
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Probably the next lie will be that daddy sleeps now in a sofa because there he can hear...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#10

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

thedad Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nigel Rodgers
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there when it happened! It was so sad to see. No more baby shark😢😢

GenXandEarnedItAll
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A lie that actually came true. "The park is closed, honey....because of Covid. Sorry."

Julie Patel
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol. You now have to say that Baby Shark was destroyed by the cable company since Baby Shark has a TV show now.

Margie Dodd
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

convinced my 3 yr old grandson that ALL Mcdonalds burned down when we passed one that did... worked for a couple of mcdonalds free years...

D Gangwere
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am very grateful Baby Shark was not a thing when my son was small.

Bettie-Jean Neal
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What about adult children who's parents are still hypocrites??? I'm 50.

The Redhead
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I disagree with this one. I have a 3 year old who loves baby shark. Yes I'm insanely sick of the song. However I will suggest she listens to it on her CD player in her room. If she's watching LBB I put in my headphones. Sometimes when she wants to listen to it I'll say in a little while. Personally I think telling a child that something they love is destroyed (when it's NOT) is hurtful. My advice don't let your child play with you phone, and then they won't be able to play it constantly.

Kira Okah
Community Member
3 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Why not just tell your kids to stop playing baby shark so much? Lie a parent.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The adult was gone for 90 seconds. During this period, a hidden camera recorded the child's activities. When the adult came back, she asked the child to promise to tell the truth, asking "When I was gone did you turn around and peek to look at the toy?"

Hays and Carver recorded the answers, and compared the results to those of children in a control group (47 kids who went through the same procedure, but without the initial trickery).

ADVERTISEMENT
#13

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

thefluffa Report

Add photo comments
POST
Wendillon
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think my mother used this on my brother too. Kid was too lazy to use the potty.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu

The results were really interesting. Compared with older children, 3- and 4-year-olds tended to peek more often. But they also tended to tell the truth more often. Their responses didn't vary by the condition—being lied to did not make a difference.

But the behavior of older kids (ages 5 and up) depended on the adult's track record. The kids who had been tricked by the adult were more likely to peek. They were also more likely to lie about it afterward. 

Now at least you know the potential consequences of lying to a child. Assuming they catch you...

#15

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

momtransparent1 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes this lol, I'm currently in a long term battle of wills and I use this :D

View more commentsArrow down menu
#16

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

DraggingFeeties Report

Add photo comments
POST
Something
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not only do you not have to go over and see it, they are also more likely to behave themselves thinking you can what they are doing.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#18

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

ESweenyBlock Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nicola Roberts
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Be careful, I'm a middle aged woman that can't leave the house, start work, go on a journey, join a meeting, without going to the bathroom first!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

XplodingUnicorn Report

Add photo comments
POST
troufaki13
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Once my 3yo nephew had a sleepover at my house. When he woke up the next he asked me "why are you so beautiful?" I almost cried :D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#20

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

thedad Report

Add photo comments
POST
DogMom
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Until the day the ice cream truck shows up without music

View more commentsArrow down menu
#21

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

realllyanna Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Our computer and tv used to need naps, or they would be so tired they would need to sleep all of tomorrow. As evidenced by the computer having a sleep mode! XD it was good while it lasted, he's long since wised up but it worked for quite a while

View more commentsArrow down menu
#22

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

HonestToddler Report

#23

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

dishs_up Report

Add photo comments
POST
Brendan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also, "If you don't stop by the count of three - one, two, three...Ok, this is the last time I'm gonna count!"

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#26

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

dshack8 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lauren Caswell
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You'd be surprised how many toys we tried "new" batteries in, but sadly they didn't work! (Only on several really awful toddler toys, nothing he was attached to)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#27

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

pro_worrier_ Report

Add photo comments
POST
Marcellus the Third
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It should be. The fact that they're corporate sociopaths that keep it open is no reason to pay them.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#28

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

HonestToddler Report

Add photo comments
POST
Draco Malfoy
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Go hide, I'll come find you." I can just imagine the child 3 hours later, just standing in plain sight like: "Mommy, can you find me?" and she just completely ignores them haha

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

OverRitz Report

#30

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

davidvienna Report

#32

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

becnard Report

Add photo comments
POST
KiwiBubbles
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my goodness, my brother used to be up at 6 or 7 any day we didn't have school, but on school days my mom had to go in his room multiple times and work SO hard to force him to get up! I probably did that too when I was younger (and had less appreciation for sleeping in) but he's younger, so I remember him doing it more recently.

View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#36

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

simoncholland Report

#37

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

dadmann_walking Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kira Okah
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Having the internal light on in the dark does make it harder to see the road though. Oddly enough, nt a lie.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

LaurenRP Report

Add photo comments
POST
Brendan
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

We went on an 8 hour car journey (including 3 hours on the ferry) from England to Ireland. 30 seconds into the journey, our 3 year old yelled in the back, "Are we nearly there!"

View more commentsArrow down menu
#41

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

XplodingUnicorn Report

Add photo comments
POST
Amelie Peacock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fun fact: i used to want to be a princess/builder, aka i would want to wear ballgowns to construction sites, place down my tiara and start layin those bricks. i still dont understand why this aspiration didnt continue, it would have been awesome

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#43

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

Dadpression Report

Add photo comments
POST
Amelie Peacock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fun fact #3: my dad used to do that with traffic lights, and predict when they would turn on. it took me a solid few years to figure out what was going on :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#44

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

mekakinny Report

Add photo comments
POST
ravina nimje
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In my country, small hospitals and veterinary clinics are closed on Sundays. Basically, you forgot to mention the country, it's not lie. You are being forgetful.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#45

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

MetteAngerhofer Report

Add photo comments
POST
Amelie Peacock
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

fun fact #2: i also wanted to be wonder woman when i grew up. i had the costume and the boots and the power cuffs and the headband and everything. i used to go everywhere in that costume :)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#46

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

XplodingUnicorn Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jaclyn
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I mean, if that's your worst, you're doing pretty darn great. Keep it up.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#48

Lies-Parents-Tell-Kids-Tweets

momsense_ensues Report

Add photo comments
POST
Shelp
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is rude. I mean, an artwork doesn't take so much place away. Getting rid of it really shows how much you dislike it. This is very violent for kids.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda