The 8 Biggest Lies Parents Tell to Their Kids

"When we have kids, I don't want to do the whole Santa lie." That's what my then-boyfriend confessed in one of our when-we-have-kids-so-far-in-the-future talks, and I was pretty taken aback by that statement. No Santa? I mean, why have kids at all then? How could you deprive kids from the bubbling anticipation - from the sparks of magic? Even after learning the truth, I was never angry or resentful toward my parents. You know what I did? I helped keep the lie alive for my little sister because belief > reality, even if only temporary. (My now-husband changed his tune; he's an even bigger Santa propagator than I am.) But I never realized how prevalent lying can be in parenting, and how easy and convenient it is to use a teeny tiny lie to comfort/quiet/explain to them. And I never expected I'd hate it so much - including the Santa shebang. -By Michelle Horton

MORE ON BABBLE
15 memories from childhood our kids won't have
7 things you should NEVER say to a kid
25 horrifying photos of stuff kids have ruined