Top 10 Things Parents Commonly Say and What They Actually Mean
1"We'll see" - "No"
2"Go ask your dad" - "He can say no"
3"I'll be there in 5 minutes" - "I'll consider leaving the house to pick you up after 5 minutes have passed"
4"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"
5"We love you so much" - "Please look after us when we are old and infirm"
6"When I was your age, I would never do that" - "When I was your age, I never got caught doing that by my parents"
7"Maybe for your birthday" - "No"
8"I can't believe you did that" - "I'm disappointed in you for doing that, but I'm also slightly impressed"
9"Next time" - "It's never going to happen"
10"Dinner's ready" - "Dinner is almost ready, but I could use some help from you"
11"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"
12"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"
13"Maybe when you're older" - "Hopefully, you'll forget about it in a few months"
14"Can you help me?" - "Can you do all the work while I relax?"
15"Let's see" - "No"
16"No crying" - "Your feelings don't matter"
17"We love you" - "We loved you enough to keep you"
18"Can you please help me unload the car?" - "Can you please unload the car for me while I shop online?"
19"Maybe next time" - "I'll consider it when you're no longer interested"
20"It's too far to drive there" - "We're too lazy to drive you there"
21"Because I said so" - "I don't know why"
22"We will buy it for you" - "We'll see"
23"Don't argue with me" - "I don't want to hear your perspective, so be quiet"
24"I'm very disappointed in you" - "You have let down the family"
25"You're too old for that" - "That's for young children"
26"Maybe for Christmas" - "No"
27"Maybe" - "No"
28"It's dangerous" - "You could get seriously injured or die"
29"You have gained some weight" - "You're getting fat"
30'Cheer up' - 'Get that look off your face! We don't care'
31'Come here, I want to talk to you' - 'I heard something bad about you'