![]() ![]() ![]() Fables such as the boy who cried wolf warn of the dire consequences of lies. Mythology such as the story of George Washington and the cherry tree preaches that honesty is the best policy. We teach our children that lying is wrong. Bettmann Archive/Getty ImagesĪ lie, in the simplest definition, is saying something that is untrue. This illustration depicts the story of young George Washington chopping down the cherry tree, a popular tale that emphasizes the importance of honesty. While we know our children better than anyone and think we know what they can handle, experts do have some guidelines about when to lie to your children. I’m finding there is probably a different line in the sand for each family, and it can change over time. I’m questioning, though, whether I should lie – either by omission or outright. While some parents swear they don’t lie, I’m pretty sure many of us do. And some parents don’t share secrets about family scandals, crimes or parentage. Parents lie by omission when we leave out details to preserve our children’s innocence about the world at large, smoothing over life’s harsher edges. I also tell bigger lies, trying to convince myself I’m protecting them by withholding details about our lives and saying that I know what’s best even when I’m worried I don’t. I tell them their drawings look gorgeous even when they look like blobs of nothing. ![]() I tell them that the spinach in their muffins enhances the flavor of the chocolate chips. ![]()
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