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Fess up: what fibs do you tell your children? - £200 voucher to be won.

185 replies

EllieSmumsnet · 20/11/2023 10:03

What fibs do you tell your children to make parenting a little bit easier? From saying carrots help you see in the dark, to pretending the ice cream van has run out when the music plays – three-quarters of parents admit they tell little white lies to their children.

But with criminals becoming increasingly sophisticated, it’s more difficult to spot when someone’s telling you a big lie. In the run up to Christmas, fraudsters will try to trick you with “too good to be true” deals on products that never materialise. One in four parents have been tricked by a purchase scam, so don’t get caught out this festive season!

  • Share your family fibs in the thread below to be entered into a prize draw.
  • One lucky winner will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice.

Here is what the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign has to say:

“Stay alert to criminals targeting you with purchase scams. Only 26% of parents always research a new retailer before making a purchase, but doing your homework this Christmas season could help protect you from scammers.

Use secure payment methods recommended by reputable retailers and be wary of bank transfers. Pay by credit card for purchases over £100 if you can.

Shop savvy in the lead up to Christmas, find out more about protecting yourself from purchase scams at: www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

Take Five - To Stop Fraud | To Stop Fraud

Take Five offers straight-forward and impartial advice to help everyone in the UK protect themselves against financial fraud.

https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/

OP posts:
LoveBannaSplits · 01/12/2023 11:52

Mine was a Disney fib, if you tell lies your nose will grow, and it always worked especially after seeing pinoccchio😅❤️

TrumpetOfTheMatriarchy · 02/12/2023 10:43

For years my children thought that the end of CBeebies was the end of any TV for the day. Doesn't work now they are 8, 11 and 13.

HobNobAddict · 02/12/2023 15:35

Father Christmas sends his elves out to tell him who's been naughty or nice

mindtheGAAP · 03/12/2023 21:41

You won't like this...crisis/chocolate/food...far too spicy for you!

smilesup · 03/12/2023 21:54

That they couldn't eat my gluten free biscuits or chocolate or crisps as they weren't coeliacs. 😁

jacqui5366 · 04/12/2023 12:03

sugar on teeth will make them fall out (not a total lie - but they always cleaned their teeth well )

SnowyMouse · 05/12/2023 18:31

The burglar alarm light is santa watching them...

RandomQuestionOfTheDay · 05/12/2023 19:20

I tell my boys that women don’t/can’t fart. Therefore any fart related smells or sounds couldn’t possibly be me (to be fair it very very rarely is me).

I honestly think they still believe this, they’re early teens now.

littlecottonbud · 06/12/2023 13:42

The footprints on Christmas morning are from Father Christmas (not mum and dad after a bottle of prosecco, Johnson's baby powder and a stencil 😉)

Montydoo · 06/12/2023 18:36

I always make your birthday cake (from Sainsburys 😂) Tip - always hide the box and put it in a cake tin.

SheSellSeaShells · 06/12/2023 18:44

The ice cream van plays music when it's run out of ice cream 🍦

LilyChez · 06/12/2023 21:37

WHEN YOU LEAVE YOUR FOOD, THE LITTLE WORM IN YOUR TUMMY (TREVOR) IS STILL HUNGRY. SAVE TREVOR!

problembottom · 06/12/2023 21:38

The toy shop in our village is closed an awful lot. I wonder how they stay in business!

AlisonWonderbra · 06/12/2023 21:43

When DC1 (now 18) was about five, she decided she no longer liked stir fry. This was a bit frustrating because it's an easily varied, quick, and nutritious meal. I left it a few weeks before presenting her with a completely different exactly the same meal called "Chinese Vegetable Medley, which she enthusiastically devoured.

We laugh about it now.

Gracietaylor · 07/12/2023 01:01

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ohdannyboy · 08/12/2023 10:59

I have got the eyes at the back of my head and can see what you are doing ....

DasAlteLeid · 09/12/2023 07:19

That mummy has urgent work to do on Boxing Day which is why she can’t come to visit awful granny and grandad

flowersfromheaven · 09/12/2023 14:42

I used to tell my daughter that if she didn't eat all veg that she wouldn't have beautiful long hair and she would have spots when she gets older.

SuspiciousSue · 09/12/2023 20:07

I told my son that scampi was chicken nuggets when he was about 7 and scampi was all I had in the freezer. He gobbled it down and it became one of his absolute favourites! I just knew that had i presented it as scampi he never would have eaten it 😆

Rosieumbrella · 10/12/2023 18:23

That children can only go in build-a-bear on their birthday (or if they are invited to a build-a-bear party)!

IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads · 11/12/2023 10:00

I told mine that our family was allergic to coke. Unfortunately I forgot to tell the mum of a school friend who had his 10th birthday party at McDonalds, where DS had coke and was fine.

LittleDeeAndME · 11/12/2023 10:58

Santa claus / Father Christmas has a magic key (we live in a flat with no chimney) so DS wondered how he would get in

WhatInTheFuckery · 11/12/2023 11:22

The park closes and it's only open on certain days.

The dentist will take their teeth and give them to someone else to take care off if they don't brush their teeth or look after them

Santa watches through the CO2 alarm in the living room

barricade · 11/12/2023 13:24

When our little ones refuse to drink their milk, or have their cereal, I will swirl a spoon to create bubbles in the liquid and tell them that if they drink the bubbles, they will gain magic powers!! ✨

Smurf123 · 11/12/2023 13:36

We are really kind so we share our Elf with lots of boys and girls at crèche to make sure everyone gets a turn to see the mischief and that's why she only stays one night at our house 😂