Is The Truth Better

[Bizzy Lizzy]

I do worry a bit about the Santa Claus thing sometimes. It is lying to a child and I wonder what they think when they realise that it is all made up. My DS said it is a bit daft as the parents get no credit for the presents they buy either
Santa apart I always tried to be as truthful as I possibly could with the children and I do the same with the grandchildren. Even if it was a personal question I tried to give an answer that was fitting to whatever age they were.
I also told them that I did not care what they told me as long as they didn't lie. When DS2 told me he had taken up smoking I had to try really hard not to throw a fit and shout. He had done what I had always asked and been honest so I had to be adult about my reaction. Not easy.

[WeeGranny]

Depends on the situation! I used to tell all my classes that haggis were little Scottish animals whose legs were longer on one side than the other because they ran around the mountains. This went on for yours until one day a child came in and told me that her Mummy said I was telling fibs and that haggis weren't animals, but were something you bought that the butcher had made. That told me then!! Even my own children believed they were real!!

On the Santa question....all my presents came from Santa and I never had anything from my parents!

[aggie]

Yep My parents were real mean too , not a present from them

[Bizzy Lizzy]

Oh I love the haggis story WG. I am not sure it can be classified as a lie as it is so hilariously unlikely and easily disproved. It was just a lot of fun I suspect. How did you keep a straight face when telling them though?

[Plantaholic]

You are such a tease Wee Granny

[Nanto2girls]

Like the haggis story Wee Granny. You should have shown your classes this Wee Granny.

http://haggishunt.scotsman.com/

[Gemini]

I told my 2 eldest daughters, as little girls, that my beloved mohair cardigan was made from the hair of little moes

On telling the truth. Yes, this is important and generally it is what we do. My own belief is that hurting others just to tell the truth is wrong. Just my opinion. I guess I value kindness over truth, if it comes to a choice.
As a couple of others have said, what is the harm in in a white lie to prevent hurting or offending others?
If I was always honest with my mother she would never speak to me again!! We all have to say what she wants to hear.