Top 10 Things Parents Commonly Say and What They Actually Mean
Top 10 Things Parents Commonly Say and What They Actually Mean: 32 items ranked by popular vote. Browse more in Relationships.
"We'll see" - "No"
"Go ask your dad" - "He can say no"
"I'll be there in 5 minutes"
"I'll consider leaving the house to pick you up after 5 minutes have passed"
"I just need to grab a few things"
"I'll go all-out on grocery shopping, and you'll have to wait in the car for at least 45 minutes"
"We love you so much" - "Please look after us when we are old and infirm"
"When I was your age, I would never do that"
"When I was your age, I never got caught doing that by my parents"
"Maybe for your birthday" - "No"
"I can't believe you did that"
"I'm disappointed in you for doing that, but I'm also slightly impressed"
"Next time" - "It's never going to happen"
"Dinner's ready" - "Dinner is almost ready, but I could use some help from you"
"Because I said so!"
"I don't have a legitimate reason, and you're correct, but I'm in charge and I don't have the patience for this, so I'm exercising my authority"
"Maybe" - "I don't have time to deal with the argument that will ensue if I say
"Maybe" - "I don't have time to deal with the argument that will ensue if I say no, but I don't want to give you too much hope"
"Maybe when you're older" - "Hopefully, you'll forget about it in a few months"
"Can you help me?" - "Can you do all the work while I relax?"
"Let's see" - "No"
"No crying" - "Your feelings don't matter"
"We love you" - "We loved you enough to keep you"
"Can you please help me unload the car?"
"Can you please unload the car for me while I shop online?"
"Maybe next time" - "I'll consider it when you're no longer interested"
"It's too far to drive there" - "We're too lazy to drive you there"
"Because I said so" - "I don't know why"
"We will buy it for you" - "We'll see"
"Don't argue with me" - "I don't want to hear your perspective, so be quiet"
"I'm very disappointed in you" - "You have let down the family"
"You're too old for that" - "That's for young children"
"Maybe for Christmas" - "No"
"Maybe" - "No"
"It's dangerous" - "You could get seriously injured or die"
"You have gained some weight" - "You're getting fat"
'Cheer up' - 'Get that look off your face! We don't care'
'Come here, I want to talk to you' - 'I heard something bad about you'
"Shhh, be quiet!" - "Shut up!"
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