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Off the Rails: The lies parents tell their children

You'll always be a chocolate star to us, Al Roker.
/ Source: TODAY

As parents, we want to raise our children to be honest, trustworthy people.

But also as parents, there are times when the truth doesn't quite cut it.

For Al Roker's mom, that moment came when a young Al just would not stop eating the Brach's chocolate candies she'd set out for guests. In a moment of exasperation, she warned him, "If you eat one more of those, you're going to turn into a Brach's chocolate star!"

It worked — until that evening, when Al could not resist eating just a couple more. "Then I remembered what she said, and I was afraid to fall asleep, because I thought I would wake up and I'd just be like this 80-pound chocolate star," the TODAY host shared.

Roker shared the story with co-hosts Sheinelle Jones and Dylan Dreyer in TODAY.com's exclusive "Off the Rails" digital parenting chat.

If you've ever wondered what the TODAY hosts talk about during commercial breaks, this is basically it.

Mama Roker is far from alone. Generations of parents have told little white lies (or outright whoppers) to keep the peace. Sure, honesty is always the best policy, but sometimes you just need to make it to bedtime. We get it. Some of the classic lies parents tell:

  • When the ice cream truck is playing music, it means they're out of ice cream.
  • Those animals on the side of the road are just sleeping, honey.
  • The security cameras in the store feed directly to Santa's house. (Elf on the Shelf taken to the next level.)
  • The car will not start if everyone's seat belt isn't on. (Hey, this one could save a life!)
  • If you keep making that face, it'll freeze that way.
  • I have no idea what happened to your Halloween candy!