Every parent has done it. A little fib to avoid a meltdown, a white lie to protect a tender feeling, or a classic line passed down from your own childhood without a second thought. Most of these “lies parents tell kids” are completely harmless — some are even a bit of fun — but together they make up a kind of secret parenting language that every family recognises.
Here are 33 lies parents tell children. See how many you’ve used yourself (no judgement here!).
#1. I can’t open that, we’ll have to wait for Dad (or Mum)
#2. No, I don’t know where that noisy toy/annoying game went to
#3. No, I don’t know where that picture you drew went
#4. Watching too much tv will damage your eyesight
#5. If you go outside with wet hair, you will get ill
#6. Oh sorry, I didn’t bring any money with me
#7. We can come back and buy that toy/magazine/sweet next time
#8. I will walk away and leave you if you don’t stop crying/screaming
#9. Santa Claus is watching you / If you don’t behave, I’ll call Santa and tell him not to come to our house this year
#10. The Tooth Fairy will leave a coin if you leave your tooth under the pillow
#11. Ooh the Easter Bunny came
#12. We’re almost there or It’s just around the corner
#13. It’s beautiful/fantastic, I love it
#14. This won’t take long
#15. Don’t swallow your chewing gum it will take 7 years to digest
#16. No, it won’t hurt
#17. Don’t swim for an hour after eating
#18. If you make that face again, your face will freeze that way
#19. Your fish/hamster went to live with their friends in the ocean/hamster farm
#20. Runner beans make you run faster
#21. I’d love you to go and play with X (child) but their mummy said no/works
#22. It would be great if we could visit X tomorrow but they’re gone away on holidays
#23. I asked Mummy/Daddy about this before but she/he said no (when you know they’ll have forgotten the request by the time the other parent gets home)
#24. The music on the ice cream van only plays when they’ve run out of ice cream
#25. The machine is broken (about those ride on things that you see in every shopping centre)
#26. It’s such a pity I’m allergic to cat/dog/hamster/animal hair/fur (as an excuse for not getting a pet)
#27. Stop running in the supermarket – the manager is watching you
#28. If you don’t brush your teeth they will fall out like grandad’s!
#29. If you keep digging in your nose like that, your finger will fall off
#30. If you eat crusts, your hair will get curly/straight, depending on preference.
#31. Eat your carrots, they are good for your eyes. Ever seen a rabbit wearing glasses?
#32. No, we are all out of batteries
#33. Yes this selection of dried fruit really are jellies
Have you caught yourself telling one of these (all for a good cause, of course)? We’d love to hear your favourite parenting fib — share it with us in the comments below.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is it okay to tell white lies to my children?
Most parents do, and small, harmless fibs — like the Tooth Fairy or “we’re almost there” — are a normal part of family life. They’re usually used to smooth over a tricky moment, protect a child’s feelings, or add a bit of magic to childhood. The key is keeping them light-hearted and not using lies to avoid honest conversations about things that matter.
Why do parents tell these kinds of lies?
Usually it’s about keeping the peace, avoiding a meltdown, protecting a child from a difficult truth they’re not ready for, or simply carrying on a fun tradition (like Santa or the Easter Bunny) that adds joy to family life.
Do these lies cause any harm?
Generally, no. Lies like these are told with love and are quickly forgotten or laughed about later. As children grow older, most figure them out themselves and often look back on them fondly.
What’s the most common lie parents tell?
It varies by family, but classics like “we’re almost there,” “it won’t hurt,” and the Tooth Fairy/Santa traditions are among the most universally told parenting fibs.
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- Funny Things Kids Say That Will Make You Laugh
- Parenting Fails We’ve All Had (And Survived)
- The Truth About the Tooth Fairy: How Other Families Do It
- Best Family Traditions to Start This Year
