I agree with you. My point is simply that I will “lie” to them in some ways. I have to lie to them that social workers are “safe” to help them to find us while knowing that dangerous people would seek out these jobs. And I will have to make it seem safer as it is because a young child is unable to understand the concept of likelihood. And I want them to start talking to a stranger (e.g. the policeman), they need the confidence that it is safe.

Eventually, they will understand that we are simplying things when we taught them about the world.

In both cases, I don’t think a child will feel like we were lying them. Just like I didn’t feel lied to.

“Normalizing lying” is just a silly critic.

I am opposed to making them write Santa a letter or making them “meet” Santa. As i think there is a difference between

• telling them about the concept
• letting them watch a christmas movies
• maybe telling them that Santa comes when they go to bed

And making them interact with “santa”.

That is my line. I am not saying, it is better or worse than yours or theirs. But that discussion is on a different level than “Normalizing lying”.