The Lies Kids Tell That Parents Always Believe
Believe it or not, kids learn how to lie by the age of three, according to experts. The older they get, the more they realize that telling lies can sometimes get them what they want. As a result, kids often try to manipulate their parents by telling little white lies.
If you're a parent, you've probably heard many of the lies we're about to reveal. They involve everything from homework to pets to borrowing the car. Read on for some of the most common lies children tell their parents...
I Don't Have Any Homework
This lie goes back a long way (as long as children have been given assignments to do at home.) No one likes doing homework, but some kids entirely skip doing it all together. And they will do anything to avoid it, including lie to their parents about not getting any at school that day.
This allows them to do other things instead, such as playing video games or watching TV. Unfortunately, this little lie will eventually catch up to them because most teachers won't let this type of behavior go unnoticed.
I'll Be Careful With The Car
If you have a child, at some point he or she will become a teenager and learn how to drive. After that, they will want to borrow your car if they don't have one of their own. You may think your kid is quite responsible, but sometimes the freedom a car gives them can be very intoxicating.
When your teen says he or she will be careful with the car, all you can do is hope. But sometimes they're not so careful or they promise to be careful in order to get the keys for a potential joy ride.
I Promise I'll Be Good
Sometimes adults attend activities or events that aren't geared towards children or are intended for older kids. In order to get around this technicality, some kids will promise that they'll be on their best behavior if they are allowed to attend.
This can be a defining moment in parenthood. If a child breaks this sort of promise, then it may take you a while to trust them again. However, if they do behave it demonstrates that they are maturing and should have the privilege of joining you during certain events.
If You Get Me A Dog, I Will Take Care Of It
It's natural for a child to want a cat, dog, or other animal companion. One of the ways kids try to get a pet is by convincing their parents that they will take care of the animal. While the best part is playing with a pet, kids also promise to feed them, take them on walks, and clean up after them.
However, most children, especially really young ones, have no idea about the amount of work it takes to raise an animal. In the end, it's always the parents who end up taking charge of a pet's day-to-day activities.
I Didn't Do It
Nobody's perfect, particularly children who are still learning right from wrong. They often make mistakes, but they don't always acknowledge them. In fact, they often point the finger at someone else. This can involve anything from accidentally breaking something to scribbling on the wall.
Even adults sometimes have a hard time admitting they made a mistake, so it's no surprise that kids struggle with it as well. That's why it's important for parents to teach their kids to take responsibility for their actions even if they do something wrong.
I'm Too Sick To Go To School
We can pretty much guarantee that every parent on earth has heard this excuse at least once. At some point in their lives, a kid will fake sickness in order to get out of going to school. Maybe they're tired or lazy, or perhaps there's a deeper reason for their deception.
It's not uncommon for a kid to want to skip school every now and then. But if it becomes habitual you may want to look into it further to see if there's something amiss at school that causes some concern.
I'm Doing Homework With My Friends
Older kids often spend time out and about with their friends, and parents don't always know exactly what they're doing. Usually mom or dad will call their kids to find out where they are, and they'll say, "I'm at my friend's house doing homework." But are they really doing that?
There's a good chance that they're doing other, more interesting things instead. They just use that excuse to placate a parent who may want them home for dinner or for another reason.
I'm Listening
It's not uncommon for parents to talk to their kids and quickly realize that they're not paying attention. Even if a kid says, "I'm listening," there's a good chance he's not. Often they pretend to listen to what mom and dad are saying while they're really paying attention to something else.
The bad news is if they aren't listening then they won't know what their parent has just said, which could be pretty important. Eventually, they'll have to brush their teeth, clean up for dinner, or put away their toys just as mom or dad ordered.
He (Or She) Started It
It's inevitable. Children fight, particularly when they're siblings. And sometimes when they get caught snapping at one another, one or the other is quick to retort, "He started it!" Children often try to put the blame on someone other than themselves, but that doesn't always mean they're innocent.
Either way, does it really matter who started the argument? Both kids are likely responsible in some way. Still, it doesn't stop the tattletale from blaming someone else. Children need to learn to own up to their mistakes, even when they don't want to.
I Forgot
As a parent, you often rely on your children to take responsibility for a few things around the house. This can include some chores such as picking up their rooms or feeding the family pet. While a kid may say she simply "forgot" to do what she was asked to do, often that's not true.
Kids usually use the "I forgot" excuse when they don't feel like doing something. Or they may say they forgot when in reality their mom told them to do something, but they weren't listening in the first place.
I Gave My Book To Someone Else
This is another way in which a child tries to avoid doing homework. He will claim that he can't do the assignment because he "lent" his book to a friend. While it seems like a clever thing to say, it's really not that smart. Most parents won't believe that at all.
Still, kids will come up with all kinds of excuses to get out of doing homework. And if they don't have the resources to do their work they think they can get out of it completely.
Billy Can Do It, Why Can't I?
Again, kids will come up with all kinds of excuses to get their way. And sometimes they try to persuade a parent by saying so-and-so is allowed to do something, so why can they do it too? They believe that their argument is stronger if there say other kids have permission to do something that they can't.
Unfortunately, this isn't usually the case. Most parents won't let their kids do things such as play video games all day just because their son says the neighbor's kid is allowed to do so.
Yes, I Cleaned My Bedroom
This one isn't a very clever lie because it quickly becomes obvious if a child hasn't cleaned his or her room. Sometimes a kid will claim she cleaned her room and then say someone else messed it up again. Or she may claim she cleaned parts of her room but not the whole thing.
But parents are smarter than that. They know when a room has been cleaned just by stepping inside of it. And really, why would some random person decide to mess it up after a kid supposedly cleaned it in the first place?
If You Let Me Do This, I'll Never Ask About It Again
Perhaps your kid wants ice cream before dinner. Or maybe she wants to go to a concert on a school night. Whatever it is, it's not uncommon for your child to say at one point, "If you let me do this, I'll never ask for it again." You know that's not true. And if you give in once, who's to say you won't give in again?
Kids have a special way of getting the things that they want. Sometimes that involves making promises they probably can't keep. So lies like this don't really hold up over time.
Mom Said I Could Do It
This is another way kids try to get their way. And if dad doesn't allow them to do something they will often refer to mom. And let's face it, many moms DO allow their children to do things that dad would certainly not. As a result, kids will often lie and say their mother gave them permission to do X, Y, or Z.
However, many dads are aware of this little white lie. If a child claims that mom is allowing them to adopt a pair of stray squirrels, it probably isn't true.
I'm Going Right To Bed
Some kids promise they're going right to sleep as soon as mom or dad shuts the bedroom door. However, this isn't always how it works. Many kids pretend they're going to sleep when in actuality they have other things they want to do first. This may include texting a friend or playing on a tablet.
Eventually, they will go to sleep, but it may take a while and they won't necessarily get enough Zs to feel refreshed the next morning. If your child seems particularly tired in the a.m. it may be worth checking their nighttime bedroom habits.
Just Five More Minutes, Okay?
When a child is having fun with an activity it can be really hard to get them to stop. Often a parent needs a kid to get ready for school, wash their hands before dinner, or brush their teeth before going to bed. But if the child is busy playing a game or hanging out with friends, it can be tough refocusing them on another task.
That's why a kid will often ask for a five-minute extension on the activity they're enjoying so much. But sometimes that five minutes can extend to 10 or 15 minutes. So really, they're asking for much more time than they actually said.
I Didn't Get Your Text
This one is laughable. When a teen claims they didn't get your text you can pretty much guarantee that they're not telling the truth. Teens spend a lot of time on their phones and are quick to respond to any notification that comes their way. They are really on top of things.
So, don't believe it if your son or daughter says they never got your text (which may instruct them to come home and cut short a really fun time).
I Did Not Block You On Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Etc.
Oftentimes parents will "friend" their children on various social media accounts, including Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This allows them to keep an eye on how their kids are interacting online. As a result, some kids get a bit annoyed that they're being monitored by mom and dad.
They may block their parents and then blame a technical problem for the issue. But in reality they may simply want to post pictures and do things they don't want their parents to see.
I Love Spending Time With You And Mom
When kids become teenagers they often prefer spending time with their friends instead of their families. This may be hard to accept for parents, but it's part of growing up. This includes family vacations. Most teens would rather hang out with their BFFs than mom, dad, and their siblings.
Teens connect on a deep level with their friends and have conversations that they often can't (or won't) have with their parents or other members of their families. So while they may claim to enjoy family vacations, they usually would rather be with people their own age.
