Real Simple readers admit to some parental fibbing.
I say that the ice cream truck that drives through our neighborhood is the "music truck." It plays music for people to enjoy during the summertime.
Breeze Watson
Lansing, Michigan
When I don't feel like playing with the toy that my toddler chooses, I tell her that it is out of batteries, even if the toy doesn't take batteries. It works with TV shows, too. "Sorry, honey, Dora must need new batteries. We'll check back later."
Christine Stevens
Issaquah, Washington
I pretend fortune-cookie fortunes say things like "Your bedtime tonight will be 15 minutes earlier." Unfortunately, this works only until they can read.
Rebecca Einstein Schorr
Fountain Valley, California
See More: 29 Ways to Entertain Kids
"Yes, we're having chicken for dinner." (I actually served fish.)
Doreen Saiz Flores
Barstow, California
That the car won't start unless everyone is buckled in. I just jiggle the keys in the ignition until the last belt clicks.
Jennifer Nilson
Roscoe, Illinois
When my daughter begged to stop at a playground, I said, "Sorry, all the playgrounds are closed now." She wisely asked why other children were playing at one we passed. I answered that they were not following the rules.
Carol Catena
New York, New York
See More: Good Old-Fashioned Playtime
My two-year-old believes that certain toys "live" at the store and are there to be visited.
Cyn Rielley
Sutton, Massachusetts
"The tooth fairy didn't come last night because she was sick. Her substitute must have been very confused by the new route. I am sure she will come tonight."
Julie Nichols Forrer
Plano, Texas
"Things in the checkout aisle are for decoration and we aren't supposed to mess them up."
Erin Seebaldt Olson
Detroit, Michigan
See More: Mother-Daughter Relationships
To get our picky three-year-old to eat, we say that vegetables will make him super strong. At the table, we let him attempt to lift our arms. By the end of the meal, he can hoist our hands over our heads with one finger!
Michele Buzek Bakker
McKeesport, Pennsylvania
"It's not red cabbage-it's purple spaghetti."
Anne-Marie O'Neill
Brooklyn, New York
My son had a crush on a girl on Barney. I made spinach balls-something he wouldn't ordinarily touch-and told him they were her recipe. He politely ate them!
Christine Mills Searle
Cleveland, Ohio
See More: Kids' Favorite Bedtime Books
When I'm getting ready in the bathroom and the kids start banging on the door, I pretend that it's stuck when I really have it locked.
Sherry Whelchel Corbett
Bostic, North Carolina
"McDonald's is closed for a private party."
Michelle Suchand Mcpherson
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Read the Rest: What Little White Lie Have You Recently Told Your Kids?
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