I tell my 4-year-old son the same lie every Friday – people say he’ll get a kick out of it when older, but I feel bad
A PARENT has admitted to lying to their child every Friday.
Although the mother feels guilty about it, others say the kid will find it funny one day.
Redditor Boobsbabebright posted the family issue to the social media platform.
“I lie to my child every Friday,” she said.
“This is my four-year-old’s first school year and he is in Pre-K.
“He hates school so far and says it’s boring so I tell him that if he wakes up and goes to school without fighting me he can stay home two days out of the week.”
WHERE’S THE LIE
The mom didn’t specify to her kid which two days of the week she meant.
“During the week I remind him about our deal when he is misbehaving,” she said.
“So he thinks I let him skip school on Saturday and Sunday because he’s well behaved.”
The mom also admitted that she feels some guilt for lying to her son.
“I think I should tell him,” she said.
“I feel bad now because I’m lying to him to get him to do things.”
Not everyone agreed with her concerns, though.
“Tell him when he’s older. He’ll get a kick out of it,” another Redditor said.
“There’s no harm right now.
“I used to tell my son Target was always closed. 10 years later he’s a teenager and before he asks to go anywhere he checks the hours of the store and shows me.”
“It’s okay to lie to kids to a certain extent,” another said.
“Is this going to hurt him in the future? No.
“Just make sure the lies have a purpose and that they are not malicious and are few and far between.
“He will still trust you when you’re able to explain things and he’s able to actually understand them.”
“How is it any different than Santa, Easter bunny, or tooth fairy?” a third wrote.
“Santa is also a way to manage behavior, so why is this any different?”
“Yeah this one’s harmless and will be funny to look back on, but as your kid gets older I highly recommend avoiding lying altogether or at least as often as possible,” one more said.
“And definitely not using lies manipulatively to get them to do what you want them to do.
“I just don’t think it’s in general a good parenting approach, but when the lies eventually come out it will only build resentment and hurt trust.”