Sure, I fantasize about doing this sort of shit with my kid sometimes too.

But you don’t do it.

What, are you saying that gaslighting your young child to do stuff they hate is harmful?

I can’t speak for other kids, but being honest with mine seems to work pretty well. “Why do I have to put away the dishes?” “Because if you don’t, we won’t be able to wash the dirty ones and then we’ll get roaches. Do you want roaches? No. So put away the dishes.”

Yeah, that’s the tack I’m taking with mine. No sense in lying because it’s not good for your relationship, and I can’t be bothered to keep track of a bunch of lies.

I didn’t even like doing Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny, but my wife insisted. I’m glad that era is over.