There are parents who believe in ALWAYS telling their children the truth and then there are parents who, although mostly truthful, enjoy the trickery every now and then. I remember my Dad convincing me that the “map light” in the old ’82 Chrysler was a magical navigation tool to be used only in exhaustion. You would get out the trusty ol’ map, place it under the map light, trace your finger along the route you were taking, and then go to sleep. The car would safely drive you to your vacation destination while you slept. Good one, Dad! Can’t even tell you how many times this conversation occurred:
Me: Why don’t you use the map light Daddy? (all innocent and worried about my tired father….awwwww)
Dad: Oh, it’s ok honey….I’m not really (yaaawwwwnnn) tired.
Me: Let’s use the map light Daddy? (always the eager one to check out magical products)
Dad: Maybe later honey…I don’t want to over use it.
Uh-huh.
I love my Dad and remember the trickery fondly.
The best part though is when you can pass on your experiences to your children. I wasn’t good at doing it because I would end up laughing, but the hubby is great at it. (Must be a guy thing??) To the point where the kids knew to look at me when Dad said something wild and crazy. If Mom was trying to keep a calm facial expression, they knew Dad was working the trickery. If Mom was passive, they were ok to believe Dad. It became their measuring tool on everything.
My Dad didn’t stop at trickery with his kids though…no, it is a wonderful gift to be passed on to the grandchildren. He got my kids good! My favorite one was the rolled hay nickname. My dad convinced my children when they were very young, that the rolled hay you see on farms was “Elephant Poo-Poo”. Haha. We still call it that actually. The kids themselves came up with the idea that when you see telephone poles (above ground with wires) someone is on the phone. I guess they believed if you didn’t see telephone poles they went into the ground because no one was on the telephone at that time?? Too funny, but that one is not trickery at all….just free entertainment as a parent.
The reason I bring all this up is because of the following photo that was posted on Facebook. I’m shocked that neither father nor hubby thought of this one and IT IS BRILLIANT. I can only hope to use it on grandchildren someday.
Ahhh….good times! Let me know of the trickery you have witnessed or been victim to…you may have something else I need to save for the grandkids!! Happy Bloggin’ Ya’ll….
Hahaha! I’ve told my kids that.
There was a light on top of a building near where I used to live, and one Christmas, I told my kids it was Rudolph
That’s awesome!! I wanna see Rudolph, too LOL
My parents didn’t do much foolery, but I had some fun with the kidlets, never on serious issues, and always with a hint of ambiguity so they engaged and pursued.
My bil was great at Santa calls Christmas Eve, the kids really ate that up. As soon as they heard his voice, eyes grew large, expression serious, and their listening, intent.
There is no fix for a child like Santa…I still respond the same way as your kids! LOL
Who can forget the ol’ take a big bite of sour cream cuz dad said it was ice cream??? Yeah don’t think I’ve forgotten that one momma!! ; )
Oh my daughter…THAT was a good one! Oh the faces you guys would make!!!! HAHAHA, priceless!
My mum used to say that there was a little bell downstairs that would ring if I got out of bed
Oh, that’s a good one. Wish I would have come up with that! Your Mum is BRILLIANT!
My mum is the master of all trickery:
Bread crusts sweep up your tummy, they get all the nasties out
Your door will be locked until 9am in the morning, then you can come out
Eating standing up is actually dangerous
I could go on
Wow, so very creative isn’t she? LOL
My uncle told this one to his daughter: male deer are called deer, and females are called darlings. She really believed it and got into a big fight about it with her best friend years later.
OMG, that is hilarious!! Another one I wished I’d have thought of, it’s just so darn cute and the poor girl had so much trust in her father…too funny!!
BTW, I’ve pushed the button to follow your blog 3 times now, and for some reason it’s not working…
Wonder what’s up with that??? Arggghhhh technology…we have such a love hate relationship. Thanks for trying TA and please don’t give up!
I tell my kids they have to eat all the veggies on their plate, because if any are left behind they will be lost without the rest of their family and friends.
LOVE IT! You’re teaching them healthy eating and developing their sense of empathy. Great idea.