“Can we have candy?”
“I think you guys have had enough,” I say.
The play date is going well. Jumping on the trampoline. Endless roleplaying. A sweet treat.
“I’m allowed to have more,” says our guest.
“Are you? In our house we alternate between real food and junk food,” I say.
“At our house I can have unlimited candy.”
“Hmm. Is that true? I’ve never noticed all the candy at your house.”
“Well, not unlimited. But like, 20 candy bars a day.”
“20? Oh, ok. If you can have 20 candy bars a day, I’ll be delighted to give you more. Let me just text your dad to make sure it’s ok.”
Kubla giggles. His friend’s face falls. I take out my phone and start a text, loudly reading each word I type. “The. boys. are. having. fun. Already. had. some. ice. cream. Do. you. really. let. them. have. 20. pieces. of. candy. each. day? That’s. what. he. told. me. Let. me. know,. and. I’ll. give. them. more… And send!”
They grab my phone to see if the text is real. A minute letter a chime—they read the angry response. The boy faces a long ride home.
How do you handle little lies in your home?
In two weeks I’ll give a free Kidorable Umbrella to whoever makes my favorite comment and shares this post on the platform of their choice.
