Top 10 Things Parents Commonly Say and What They Actually Mean

Our parents say some things more often than others. While they most likely don't have a secret agenda behind what they say, their words can have an underlying meaning. This is a list of such things that parents commonly say, along with what they actually mean by them. The items are listed in this manner: "What they say" - "What they actually mean."
The Top Ten
1 "We'll see" - "No"

When your parent says this, it means you will be on a sort of probation period for the next 36 hours. There is a 90% chance that things are not going to go according to your plan. However, your behavior in the next 36 hours is critical in determining the outcome. One misbehavior incident could immediately result in the word "No" coming from your parent's mouth.

My parents. Not going to be me when I become a parent. I would rather have my future kids get the message "No!"

2 "Go ask your dad" - "He can say no"

Mothers who are married to strict fathers usually use this phrase. In such cases, your dad will mostly say no. In the best-case scenario, he tells you to go ask your mom again, and you get trapped in this vicious cycle without getting your thing done. Mothers do this so they don't have to play the 'bad guy' role and can still prevent you from getting what you want.

My dad always tells me to ask my mom because he doesn't want to say no, but my mom says yes.

3 "I'll be there in 5 minutes" - "I'll consider leaving the house to pick you up after 5 minutes have passed"

This is an extremely common thing for parents to say. Most children have experienced it so many times that they simply multiply the number of minutes their parents say by four. This is especially true if you were the last kid to get picked up after sports practice or after school.

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"

Your mom or dad usually say this when they take you in the car for some other purpose and spot a grocery store. By saying that they're going to grab a few things, they actually mean that they're going to do extensive grocery shopping, and you'll have to wait in the car for 45 minutes. This is actually better than some situations where you have to accompany them and carry all the items they purchase, from entry to exit.

5 "We love you so much" - "Please look after us when we are old and infirm"

As your parents get older, they become more worried about their health and probably don't want to end their lives in one of those old folks' homes. They realize that, as they age, you are the only person they will be able to depend on. They behave nicely towards you in expectation of future support.

I don't know if I'll be able to look after my dad when I'm older because I haven't seen him for 4 years. My mom is back in Casablanca with my siblings, so I doubt I'll see them when I'm older, but I want to.

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"

This statement is a clear lie. What they are actually saying is that during their childhood, they were smart enough not to get caught doing that particular thing. However, they can't share this harsh truth with you because they are your parents.

I'm pretty sure they did crazy stuff when they were my age. Both my parents are '80s kids, and apparently, the '80s was a pretty crazy decade.

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"

Your parents say this when they are disappointed in you for doing something, but at the same time, they are slightly impressed by you, either for having the courage to do whatever you have done or perhaps because they had fun doing the same thing in their childhood.

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"

Your parents say this so that you finally come out of your room. When you arrive at the dining area, you realize that dinner is not actually ready and they tell you to assemble a few dishes or do something else in the meantime.

This one never ceases to annoy me.

Mom: Hey, dinner's ready!
Me: *comes down* Where is it?
Mom: It's in the frying pan, and while you're here, why not help set the table?

The Contenders
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"

Parents usually say maybe when you request something after they have come home from a long and tiring day. They use this phrase when they don't have the energy to argue with you if they say no. However, they also don't want you to get what you want, so they leave your request hanging by saying Maybe. Later, when they have enough energy, they tell you no and argue with you, winning the argument.

13 "Maybe when you're older" - "Hopefully, you'll forget about it in a few months"

Parents say this so they don't completely dampen your burning enthusiasm to do something while they are clearly not interested in it. They hope that you will forget whatever you want right now 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"

My mom once told me that if I ever need to cry, I should cry. Three years later, and every time I cry, she says, "Stop crying!" in a harsh tone. I'm just waiting for high school, when I have a full-on ugly cry because of her and she tells me to stop, and I remind her.

My dad said feelings don't matter and that crying doesn't fix anything. To me, that's wrong, because if I don't express my feelings in some way, someone is going to get hurt!

This doesn't happen to me anymore because I don't show my feelings much.

17 "We love you" - "We loved you enough to keep you"

This sounds quite paranoid. If I had made this list (but unfortunately, I couldn't come up with this idea. It's really creative), I would have included some items where the actual meaning is more positive than the literal one.

18 "Can you please help me unload the car?" - "Can you please unload the car for me while I shop online?"

No, it means, "Can you please unload the car for me while I sit down on a granite slab and shop on the Amazon app on my iPhone 5?" Why so specific?

I do help with unloading the car, but she stays inside and plays Candy Crush.

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"

And that's the frustrating thing about freshman year of high school.

21 "Because I said so" - "I don't know why"

When you run out of comebacks against your kid.

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"

This is not only true for parents.

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"

I wanted a Yo-kai Watch one year, and my mom said no because it was for ages 4+.

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