Telling the truth is one of the first lessons we learn as children. As we get older, honesty is even more important, at school, at work, and in relationships. No one likes a liar.
And yet…there are certain circumstances when telling a little white lie is helpful – like when you’re trying to prevent someone’s feelings from getting hurt, or you’re protecting a secret for someone else.
While we don’t recommend it, there are some situations when it’s okay to decide not to tell the truth to mum and dad. Trust us on this one. Here are 10 times it’s okay to lie to your parents.
1. How much time you spent on Facebook instead of doing homework
Hey, if it got done, that’s what matters, right? They don’t have to know you spent three hours liking, sharing and commenting on your friends’ Facebook posts before completing your calculus.
2. What time you got home
If you have a curfew, you should be respectful of it. But fudging the truth by a few minutes to get out of being grounded isn’t the worst thing to do.
3. What you spent your lunch money on
What is it with parents and wanting to know what we eat? Yes, it’s important to be healthy and maintain a balanced diet, but sometimes a donut for lunch is just what you need. Pass me a meat pie, please.
4. What that movie is rated
Toning down an R-rated film to PG-13 won’t hurt anyone—but if they see a commercial or poster, you’re busted.
5. When you get a bad grade on that pop quiz.
While falsifying your report card is a no-no, maybe just don’t mention that surprise quiz that caught you off guard. You have time to study before the next test!
6. When you have a crush
You don’t have to broadcast the news that you’re infatuated with someone new. Next thing you know your mum will be asking when you’re inviting them over for dinner and your dad will get his “What are your intentions?” speech ready. Save the drama for when you’re actually dating.
7. When you’re planning a surprise
It can be hard to keep a secret when you’re planning a surprise for one of your parents. It might feel devious to blatantly lie to their face about it, but you don’t want to give away the fun! You’ll make up for it when all your careful planning works out.
8. When you and your best friend get in a fight
You don’t want them to get concerned over every squabble or disagreement. You also don’t want your parents thinking poorly of your friends.
9. How far you’ve gone sexually
Unless your mum is your bestie, you don’t need to go into sexual details with your parents. Trust me, they don’t want to know.
10. When you get the beating of your life at school for doing something wrong
It’s not really about the beating, but the bad thing you did. Hopefully, you learn your lesson and move on.
