According to research from the University of Toronto and the University of California, San Diego, parents are liars. Not only are they liars, but they are hypocrites, too, as even those who promote telling the truth in one sentence can lie quite easily in the next one.

Granted, the lying is usually done to get children to do something good or avoid something bad. A white lie, yes, but a lie nonetheless.

This practice is referred to as “parenting by lying.” Hmm. Gaining compliance with blatant lies, empty threats, and fantastic promises? Sounds more like “religion.”