Parents often resort to small white lies when raising children, especially to prevent meltdowns or encourage better behavior. These little fibs, while not always ideal, have long been seen as a quick fix when logical explanations don’t work with young minds. Many moms and dads believe it’s easier to say, “The toy store is closed,” than explain budgets or boundaries to a crying toddler.

However, modern parenting experts increasingly discourage lying, suggesting instead that tough moments can be used to teach children emotional understanding, patience, and real-life lessons. Still, not long ago, these white lies were far more commonly accepted as harmless parenting tricks.

On Reddit, many users have shared creative lies their parents told them—some sparked childhood wonder, others encouraged good manners, and many were simply hilarious. From tales of imaginary buttons that “turn off the car if you misbehave” to warnings that the ice cream truck only plays music when it’s out of treats, these stories reflect the inventive minds of parents under pressure.

Some of these anecdotes are clever, others questionable, but most are unforgettable childhood memories. Whether seen as harmless humor or outdated strategy, they show just how far parents will go to keep the peace—or get their kids to listen.