#1
#2
#3
A quick perusal of these tips shows that a lot of them involve manipulating information. Or, to use a slightly more ugly word, lying. One doesn’t have to be an expert to know that lying isn’t an ethical skill to teach any child, but discerning truth, half-truths, and lies is a skill to start learning early.
Setting aside questions of ethics, which is not something we actually recommend one does at any time, there could be some benefits of “lying” to your kids. Lying through omission, perhaps, but still not exactly telling the truth. In many situations, experience is the best teacher. We don’t recommend actually putting a child in danger, but touching a hot stove teaches one about the heat a whole lot faster than just being told about it.
#4
Just did this recently with my son twice this week at my local water park. Saved me about 40 dollars in 2 all day trips. Just make the food reasonably healthy of course
#5
#6
Similarly, parenting is a lot of work, some might even say a full-time job. In 2023, most of us already have one full-time job, but what about a second? Parents do need to find ways to recuperate energy and if that means lying about chores to get a slightly longer nap, then all is good. At the end of the day, a parent needs to be rested in order to do all the things that are a part of raising a child.
#7
...as a bonus you'll probably seem very altruistic for teaching your child your partner's name instead of your own as many people want their name to be baby's "first word" and actively try to teach it theirs first.
#8
#9
In fact, just the status of parenthood gives one a few tools for manipulation. Children have a slightly unhinged fascination with all things adult, so by selectively limiting or labeling certain activities, one can trick children into doing chores, for example. Tell them the lawnmower is very powerful and off-limits, then find an excuse for why you can’t use it and see how quickly they flock to mow the lawn.
#10
#11
#12
Some parents might find that their kids figure out the deception later. This is also not a bad thing. Parents generally have a child's best interests in mind, but out there in the real world, bosses, potential partners, and a whole slew of people are interested in manipulating and exploiting others. Best to teach them to always think a little and not take everything at face value.
#13
#14
#15
Ultimately, some of these methods fall into the category of incidental teaching. Often, it’s easier to retain lessons if they aren’t presented directly as lessons. Teaching through experience and example are all useful skills and tools, so the “unethical” part is more just a label than a true value judgment.
#16
#17
#18
#19
#20
