Sometimes my kids say “It’s not fair” or “Dinner is gross!” and I think, “I’m with you, kid.” Per the ultra-secret Parent Code of Conduct, I can’t admit this to my children. Truth is, sometimes they are right. Don’t tell my kids, but I’ve compiled a list of 10 truths kids say. Too bad they can never know. 
It’s Not Fair: 10 Truths Kids Say
- It’s Not Fair! Remember when your mom would respond, “Life’s not fair” and you thought she was the worst? I always have to bite my tongue on this one because it’s true. So much of the time, it isn’t fair. I feel your pain, kid.
- He/She is Your Favorite! This is also true, but my favorite changes depending on the week, day, hour, and minute. That makes it okay, right?
- But You Eat on the Couch! I also spill on the couch, much to my husband’s chagrin. I’m an adult, though, so I get to do it anyway.
- I Forgot! Sometimes it’s an excuse, but I legitimately think kids really do forget what you told them two minutes ago. This is most likely the product of not listening in the first place.
- He/She Deserved it! So many times, I privately think, “That’s probably true.” Sometimes their sibling probably does deserve a good smack. Too bad that doesn’t make it okay.
- That Doesn’t Make Any Sense. Jokes, common expressions, movie plots, arbitrary rules parents create on the spot – the world is weird. Don’t tell them we’re just flying by the seat of our pants most of the time.
- Dinner is Gross. Sometimes, they’re not wrong here. Budget, lack of creativity, time constraints, and desperation can lead to some pretty lame meals. I don’t love casserole, either, but you can’t beat a one-pot meal on soccer and piano practice night.
- You Have a Big Belly/Nose/Wart/Bottom. The thing about these comments from kids – they’re usually observations, not judgments. An adult is providing unspoken commentary on said big feature. A kid is just telling you about the world. And my belly is kind of big.
- You Just Don’t Want to. You caught me, kid! I don’t actually have to go to the bathroom or empty the dishwasher right now. But if I have to set up another train track, push someone else on the swing, or put clothing on anymore miniature figurines, I might lose my mind.
- You’re Not Listening! Wait. Were you talking? Your sister was also talking and then the baby spit up. I started singing the song on the radio in my head and it reminded me of the book I want to read. We should go to the library. Wait. What did I just say “yes” to?
What other truths do your kids say?
Bahaha!! Omgosh these are amazing… and oh so true!! 😉
Before you say, “life isn’t fair,” think about how you or the other adults and older kids in the children’s lives taught them about fairness. Have you ever told your kids (or the kids you work with) stuff like, “it’s not fair that you get more cookies than your siblings?” Has a teacher, or anyone else who has worked with said children, ever told them something like, “I’m not going to let you take more time to finish your work than the other kids, because that wouldn’t be fair.” If any of this sounds familiar, you may have led yourself, your children (or the children you work with), and possibly even other adults and older kids in their lives, down a road that is hard to navigate for everyone. These phrases may be where, “that’s not fair,” starts. Kids need to grow up knowing that sometimes it is ok if someone gets something different (or a different amount of something).
Absolutely, Leanne. We definitely teach empathy and encourage kids to recognize individual situations. Fair isn’t always the same. 🙂
I don’t think I ever told my parents, “dinner is gross,” because I actually liked a lot of the things they prepared. My brother probably said that more often than I did (although, I don’t remember him ever saying that either), but he was always pickier than I was when it came to eating.
About the, “s/he is your favorite,” “you care more about him/her more than you love me,” and other variations of this “truth.” Think about why the kid is saying this. Maybe this child feels like some siblings are viewed in a more positive light than others. For example, if you say stuff like, “Sarah has to have things a certain way, whereas Mikey just takes things as they come.” Sarah is likely thinking, “um, that’s not always true. I don’t always have to have things a certain way, you just like Mikey better.” Maybe the child feels like the rules apply to some children, but not to others. For example, if you say stuff like, “she’s only 6, she doesn’t know better.” The older child is likely thinking, “um, yes she does. I would have gotten in WAY more trouble for that when I was her age!”