" mom I saw a pink elephant with purple polka dots on it.  

Hi Hatley, Your story upset me about that Mom slapping the
kid. That was so unnecessary. What a stupid beotch! Why
couldn't she just think he was kidding around at least. I
hate parents like that. I would have wanted to slap the
crap out of her! I can't talk about a family member lying
because it is to close to home for me. My father was a
pathological lyer so if we accused him of lying he was.
I'm sorry, I can't get into this discussion and you know
this isn't like me Hatley. I just wanted to comment on
that mother slapping her son without even thinking that
maybe because it was a Circus that maybe he was telling
the truth or just kidding around.

Can't believe she slapped her poor kid! What a happy parade day, aye? Geesh! Glad you pointed out to her her error!
- It reminds me of a few years back when my grand daughter and I rode by our neighbor's down the road and she said "look! a pretty purple horse!" She was right! The horse had a purple wrap/coat on and looked just like a purple horse. I wasn't going to, but I told her about the wrap. I kind of wanted her to keep her illusion of a purple horse, but the realist in me won out... [Unlike my sister in law who used to tell the kids that the tall metal corn bins were full of m & m's!]

I would have taken her to see polka dots alright, if I had seen her slap her son I would have sent her to the pookie. I understand the frustration of your children fibbing, but you don't smack them for it. JMHO Marilyn