DID you see the recent report from the University of California about the lies we tell our children? Apparently 74 per cent of parents taught their children not to lie, but 78 per cent admitted doing it themselves.
My son believes that Fassnidge Park in Uxbridge (and all the other parks in Hillingdon for that matter) actually close when it's raining; that when the ice-cream van tinkles its tune down our street it means they've run out of ice-cream; if you don't believe in Father Christmas he won't bring you any presents; and if you pick your nose, your brain falls out.
Telling a few white lies are a wholly necessary part of parenting, in my opinion.
There's been a hilarious debate on the www.netmums.com website about what white lies children believe - my favourites from those listed were Brussels sprouts are fairy cabbages, when supermarket rides have their lights flashing it means they are broken, and teeth fall out immediately if you don't brush them!
Talking of Christmas, have you noticed the shops starting to fill up with festive goodies? It won't be long before Rocking Around the Christmas Tree is going to be blasting out every time you visit the shops in Uxbridge.
I do love Christmas, but for me it only really starts when day one of the Advent calendar is opened, not when the shops dictate we should be buying presents and gift wrap and they begin assaulting our ears with Christmas musak.
The only thing worth doing early is organising a visit to the big man in red as he gets booked up quickly.
Harrods and Selfridges grotto bookings started a few weeks ago and are almost sold out already.
There are some very special places to go that are a bit of a drive, but worth it if, like us, Lapland is not an option but you want to do something a bit different.
I've heard lots about Painshill Park, an 18th-Century landscape park and gardens that at Christmas time has a very special crystal grotto and traditional Father Christmas and elves. Find out more at www.painshill.co.uk.
We've already booked our tickets for Santa's Magical Kingdom, a brand new Christmas spectacular in Kent.
There are going to be train rides, pantomime shows, reindeer, a Christmas snow scene with polar bears, penguins and elves, plus ice skating, a Victorian carousel and, of course, a meeting with Father Christmas.
We really enjoyed Lapland UK last year (not to be confused with the awful one that got shut down) but this looks even better as more of it is inside.
I'd love to take Alex to the real Lapland one day, but until then this looks like a fun day out. Tickets cost from £25 and are available to book now at www.santasmagicalkingdom.co.uk .
I'll let you know how we get on.
