If you’ve ever been a kid, you’ve likely heard it, and if you’ve stepped into the realm of parenting, you’ve probably uttered it: Honesty is the best policy. But when it comes to conversations with other moms about their kids, that policy sometimes takes a backseat. We’re not telling malicious lies—when it matters, we keep it real with our mom friends—but when it comes to preserving feelings or boosting our own egos, a little embellishment can slip out.
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Your kid was an angel.
When you pick your child up from a playdate, the first question is always, “How did he behave?” If your kid turned my living room into a war zone or tried to paint the dog with markers, I’ll probably just say he was “wonderful!” Because even if he was a little bit of a handful, I get that kids have off days, and I don’t want you to feel like you dropped the parenting ball. -
Your kid is a cutie pie.
We all see our own children as the epitome of beauty, but asking others to validate that can be tricky. When you ask, “Isn’t she adorable?” you’re fishing for compliments on her looks. My response? “Absolutely!”—while I’m secretly thinking she might resemble your Uncle Steve, but hey, who doesn’t have their quirks? Adorable takes many forms. -
Your kid is just like everyone else.
Every mom has had that sinking feeling of worry about her child’s milestones. Most of the time, those fears are completely unfounded, as kids develop at their own pace. So when you express concern about your little one not reaching a certain milestone, I’ll reassure you that it’s all good and that your kid is perfectly on track. Do I have a medical degree? Nope. But I’d rather lift you up than let you spiral into doubt. -
Apologies for the chaos.
Before you arrive at my place, I’ve likely spent the last 20 minutes frantically shoving toys into closets and wiping down surfaces so it doesn’t look like a tornado hit. If I apologize for the mess when it’s only slightly messy, maybe you’ll think my house is usually spotless! -
Don’t bother cleaning up!
After a playdate, the aftermath resembles a scene from a disaster movie. But what do I say? “Oh, don’t worry about tidying up; we’ll handle it!” I really just want some help with the toy explosion, but I get that asking for it can be awkward, especially if your kid just wants to play. -
Sorry, we can’t join due to…
When I say my kid is under the weather or we have an appointment, the truth is, I might just not want to put on real pants today. Maybe my child is being a total diva, or I’m simply not ready to deal with more chaos. But it’s easier to come up with a polite excuse than to admit I’m in my sweats and hiding from the world. -
My kid is doing all that too!
Comparing our children is the ultimate mom trap, yet we do it anyway. When you tell me your child is already potty trained or reading, I feel the urge to keep up. Sure, my version of “potty trained” might be that he once sat on the potty and celebrated like a champion, and “reading” might be him narrating a picture book he’s memorized. But you don’t need those details! -
You look fabulous!
You stumble through my door looking like you just survived a zombie apocalypse—dark circles, hair in disarray, and who knows what on your shirt. Immediately, you apologize for your appearance. Guess what? I’m not going to agree with you. I’ll tell you that you look great because a little reassurance can go a long way, and I’ve definitely been there.
While we may stretch the truth a bit when it comes to low-stakes matters, these little fibs aren’t meant to harm—they’re simply gestures to help each other feel better. They come from a place of kindness, and that’s the honest truth.
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Summary
Moms often tell little white lies to support each other in the challenging journey of parenting. From reassuring each other about our children’s behavior to offering compliments about appearances, these harmless fibs help maintain self-esteem and foster camaraderie among moms.