21 Parents Share 'Secrets' Their Kids Thought They Got Away With—But Mom And Dad Knew All Along
Parents aren’t as clueless as we think.
When I was a kid, my parents had one strict rule during exam season: no video games. To us, that was a fate worse than failing any math test or history quiz.
But my siblings and I were crafty—we had a secret plan. Whenever our parents went out, we would sneak the gaming console back on, dive into virtual worlds, and keep one eye on the driveway.
As soon as we spotted their car turning the corner, the panic would set in. Off went the console, controllers were hidden, and we’d scramble back to our books like perfect little angels. It was the perfect crime—or so we thought.
What we didn’t realize was that we were far from undetected. While we thought we were geniuses, it turns out the red-hot temperature of the console was giving us away every single time.
My parents knew, but rather than catching us in the act, they gave us the chance to own up and fix our ways. Spoiler alert: we didn’t. We kept pushing our luck, and let’s just say we definitely answered for our crimes in due time.
Children really think they're skilled in the art of deception, but let’s be honest—parents are practically born with superpowers. They see all, hear all, and are pretty familiar with the smug look smeared across a child’s face when they think they've gotten away with something.
In a delightful AskReddit thread, parents from around the globe share the most amusing and heartwarming "secrets" their children think they’re hiding. We’ve rounded up 21 of the most hilarious tales, and trust us—you’re in for a treat.
1. The cost of raising a bookworm
My daughter thinks she "gets away" with reading when she should be asleep. The fact that I have such a large book expenditure each month is also a dead giveaway.
Supermac34 , Tima Miroshnichenko2. Sometimes, the best secrets are the ones we both pretend not to know
My daughter's bike was lost/stolen after she left it at the bus stop. After a few days of looking, she had given up on finding it. She was crushed, and I couldn't take it. I picked up an identical bike, took the training wheels off just like the first one, and when I got home, I tried to pass it off as if I found her bike.A couple of days later, she told my wife that she knew it wasn't her bike, but she didn't want to make me sad by telling me she knew. I know that my daughter knows my secret but is keeping it a secret from me.
ysivart , Ron Lach3. A nighttime ritual they certainly both love
My 2-year-old tries to hide a car behind his back when I put him to bed. I pretend not to see it until he gets in the crib and go, “Oooooh, you got me soooo good! You tricked Daddy!” Then I tickle him, which causes him to drop the car. I take it and hide it, then I continue to play with him for a minute until he forgets about the car.
AdventureBegins , Pixabay
The Power of Parental Awareness
Parents often possess a keen awareness of their children's behaviors and secretive actions. Dr. Becky Kennedy, a child psychologist, emphasizes that this intuition is rooted in years of observing their children's patterns and reactions.
She states, 'Children might think they’re clever, but parents have likely faced the same situations themselves.' This shared experience often enhances parental insight, enabling them to anticipate their child's moves.
Encouraging open dialogue about honesty could strengthen trust and understanding while allowing children to express themselves without fear of punishment.
Involving children in decision-making processes can significantly reduce their inclination to keep secrets. A behavioral expert noted that when children feel they have a voice, they're more likely to be transparent with their actions.
Parents can practice this by inviting their children to participate in setting family rules or discussing consequences for actions. This collaborative approach fosters a sense of responsibility and encourages honesty, as children understand the rationale behind family expectations.
4. The cats did not pass the conspiracy check
My 5-year-old daughter has a stash of snacks inside a cat tree. The cats usually end up dragging them out, and then I overhear her scolding the cats. I let this go on because 1) it's hilarious, and 2) it's nothing I haven't already given her. .
pantherrecon , Arina Krasnikova
5. Sneaky, but not sneaky enough
My kids sneak food from the pantry after they go to bed. I always know because they forget to turn the light off. Every. Damn. Time. I refuse to let them know what their tell is.
angmarsilar , Kaboompics.com
6. “Sweetheart, you can't hide that dirty diaper scent.”
That she pooped. Lady, I can smell your dirty diaper from across the room.
Starbucks__Lovers , lebsnow
According to Dr. Michele Gelfand, a cultural psychologist, the dynamics of family communication can significantly impact how secrets are perceived within the household. She notes that families with rigid structures often cultivate a culture of secrecy, as children feel pressured to hide their actions.
By fostering a more flexible communication style, parents can reduce the likelihood of children feeling the need to hide their behaviors. Techniques such as active listening and empathetic responses can create an environment where children feel safe sharing their experiences.
7. The secret love letters of a 10-year-old... forever written but never delivered
I know that my 10-year-old writes long letters professing his love to a girl in his class but never gives them to her and throws them in the trash.
Remarkable-Gift-7034 , Pixabay
8. A 7-year-old entrepreneur running a mini snack empire on the school bus. That kid will go places
My 7-year-old keeps telling me she needs snacks for class and is selling them to the junior high kids on the bus. She has made almost 60 bucks. Her brother ratted her out.
BatSh*tCrazy , Mary Taylor
9. This is what real love looks like
My best friend is a lesbian. We live in Russia; it’s not safe to discuss openly, and her mom is homophobic. So, the family doesn’t know.Her father surely knows and just avoids all the drama by pretending he doesn’t. Last small talk with him at her place was hilarious.— Hi username, how are you? Any kids?— Not yet, no— Are you also one of them?— One of whom? — Them - *pause, looks at his daughter* - Child-free.
Bulky_Gazelle_6128 , SHVETS production
Building Trust with Kids
Dr. Pat Love, a renowned relationship therapist, suggests that building trust starts with establishing a non-judgmental environment. She advocates for open discussions about expectations and the consequences of actions.
When children know they can speak freely without facing harsh judgments, they’re more likely to be honest with their parents. Parents can also share their own childhood experiences and mistakes to create relatable connections, demonstrating that everyone makes mistakes and learns from them.
This approach not only cultivates honesty but strengthens the parent-child bond.
10. The Great Journal mystery
He likes to read my journal. I'm an avid writer and keep several, including my laptop.It honestly makes me laugh because no one, since my little sister eons ago, has expressed such interest in what I write.What he doesn't know is that the one on my laptop is my *real* one, and it's password protected. The ones I leave on my bookshelf and in my office are the ones that are "safe" for him to read.It tickles me to question him about stuff he shouldn't know but *knows* because he read it in my journal."Son, how do you know your Aunt and I are planning a trip next weekend?"Deer caught in headlights look."I must have overheard you two talking...""Hmmm...".
ChaoticInsomniac , Maël BALLAND
11. Good one, Dad!
I was talking to my dad about getting away with stuff when I was a kid and said, "You never knew that I would stay up reading every night with my flashlight."He got an amused look on his face and responded, "You did that for years and never changed the batteries in that flashlight, did you?"That's when I realized he knew and was encouraging it the whole time.
mrlamcran , freepik
12. Regular kid by day, superhero within the confines of his bedroom by night
He has a secret character/identity he dresses up as in his room with a jacket and hat and acts out some hero thing. He’s never told us what it is. He’s been doing it for years.
Oceanbreeze871 , Kenneth Surillo
Research indicates that children often test boundaries to establish independence. According to Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist, this behavior is rooted in evolutionary psychology. Children learn through experimentation, often pushing limits to gauge parental responses.
Fostering independence while maintaining clear boundaries can be a balancing act. Parents can adopt a strategy of offering choices within limits, allowing children to feel empowered without sacrificing safety or trust. This method can help reduce the likelihood of secretive behavior.
13. The secret mission to comfort in the dark. How heartwarming
My five-year-old sneaks into his 18-month-old brother's bed every night. He thinks he's being sneaky, but I hear him crawl back into his own bed when I get up at 5 a.m. It keeps both of them calm because our neighbors are loud and scare them often.
SnapCrackleandCrazy , freepik
14. And she would have gotten away with it—if it weren’t for that meddling flood
Not a parent, but when we were kids and one of us was sick, my parents would give us those disgusting purple Tylenol flu pills that you had to chew. My little sister would fake taking them and then stash them under the couch. Our house got flooded in a hurricane, and when we pulled the couch out, the carpet underneath was dyed purple from all the pills dissolving in the flood water.
Significant_Sort7501 , Andrea Piacquadio
15. A crime scene that tastes better than it looks
stoneoftheicemen
The Parent-Child Dynamic
Understanding the parent-child dynamic is crucial in addressing secretive behaviors. Dr. Alfie Kohn, an education expert, emphasizes that punitive measures often backfire, leading to increased secrecy.
Instead, he advocates for a more compassionate approach, focusing on understanding the motivations behind a child's actions. By discussing the reasons for established rules, parents can foster a sense of collaboration, encouraging children to not only follow guidelines but also understand their importance. This can promote transparency and reduce the likelihood of hidden actions.
16. I wonder how long it took him to realize the truth
My nephew lied as a kid, but my mother knew and called him on it. He asked how she knew (I think she actually saw him do whatever it was wrong without him realizing), and she said his third eye on his forehead winked when he lied.For about two years afterward, whenever he lied, he would do it with one hand over his forehead. So we *always* knew. It was great.
princecoo , cookie_studio
17. Want someone who’ll take your secret to their grave? Then, find a species that can’t communicate in any known human tongue. This kid gets it
My son has a crush on a girl in school. He walks home from school every day and visits our neighbor's very old dog. My son gives him belly scratches, and in exchange, my neighbor's dog doesn’t tell a soul what my son tells him.However, the dog's owner—who is “working nearby in the garden”—is an excellent eavesdropper and knows everything, and she in turn shares it with me.He will never know that I know.
IKnowAllSeven , Юлия
18. The people who love you will always have your back
Thevshi
Dr. Sonja Lyubomirsky, a happiness researcher, emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence in navigating parent-child relationships. Teaching children to recognize and express their emotions can lead to more honest interactions.
Parents can model emotional awareness by sharing their feelings and discussing how to cope with them. Activities like journaling or discussing daily highs and lows can help children articulate their emotions better and feel confident sharing their thoughts with their parents, reducing the likelihood of secrets.
19. In rare cases, they’re not interested in keeping their misadventures a ‘secret’ at all.
Mine is still little enough to be very, very bad at hiding things. The other day, he asked for a toffee. I said no. He went and got a toffee from the kitchen counter, 'hid' under the kitchen table, loudly unwrapped it, and when I still didn't react, he said, 'I'm eating a toffee!'
GizmoTheGingerCat , Irina P
20. Their master plan: Buy book lights with Christmas money, stay up past bedtime—flawless, right?
SuperSpeshBaby
21. Just another day in the life of a typical 4-year-old
My niece (4 years old) wrote her brother's name on the wall and claimed he did it. Her brother was not even a year old yet.
senrad , Yan Krukau
Creating Safe Spaces
Creating a safe space for discussion is vital in minimizing secrecy among children. Dr. Carol Dweck, a motivation researcher, encourages parents to cultivate a growth mindset within their homes.
This means emphasizing effort and learning over perfection, which can reduce the fear of failure. When children know that making mistakes is part of learning, they may be more inclined to share their experiences rather than hide them. Regular family meetings to discuss challenges and celebrate successes can reinforce this culture of openness.
Kids may think they have the stealth level of professional ninjas, but as these stories show, parents are always a step ahead.
So, to those sneaky little rascals who think they’re successfully pulling the wool over their parents’ eyes, well, you might want to double-check.
Professional Assessment & Guidance
In summary, understanding the dynamics of parent-child communication can greatly influence how secrets are kept and disclosed. Experts like Dr. Jane Nelsen advocate for positive discipline strategies, which highlight the importance of fostering open communication and trust.
By creating an environment where children feel safe to express themselves, parents can diminish the cycle of secrecy. This can be achieved through empathy, emotional awareness, and collaborative discussions, ultimately benefiting the entire family unit.
