When is it OK to Lie to our Partners?

It’s OK to lie to your partners when you’re trying to make things better or more fun together.

Imagine you and your friend are playing a game with toys. You both really want to win, but you know if you tell the truth right now, you might lose. So, you say something that isn’t true, like saying you saw a toy that wasn’t there. That’s lying, and it's OK because it helps you both have more fun.

Sometimes, people lie to make others feel happy or to avoid fighting. Like when your mom says “I don’t need any more cookies,” but she actually wants one, and it's still OK because she’s being playful.

But if you lie too much or about important things, like forgetting to do homework on purpose every day, then it might stop being fun and start being annoying. That means your partner (or friend) might feel tricked instead of surprised.

So remember, a little lying is OK when it makes life more fun, but not when it turns into something that hurts feelings.