A grandmother named DeeDee has sparked an important conversation about the role of grandparents in a child’s life, especially regarding honesty and trust. In a recent TikTok video on the account MoreThanGrand, she shared a crucial piece of advice for grandparents: never ask your grandchild to keep secrets from their parents.
DeeDee explained that even seemingly harmless requests, like telling a child not to tell their mom about an extra cookie, can have serious implications. She emphasized that this kind of behavior teaches children to lie and undermines their relationship with their parents. Children should feel safe to share anything with their parents, and asking them to keep secrets sends the opposite message.
Her message resonates with many parents who worry about trust issues between their children and themselves. DeeDee pointed out that encouraging secret-keeping can confuse kids about honesty and may even put them at risk. She highlighted that predators often exploit secrecy as a way to manipulate children.
Instead of fostering secrecy, DeeDee encourages open communication between grandparents and parents. If there are special treats or activities planned, she suggests discussing them with the parents first. Her motto is simple: if something can’t be done openly, it shouldn’t be done at all.
The response to her video has been overwhelmingly positive, with many viewers expressing gratitude for her insights. Other grandparents chimed in, agreeing that safe adults do not ask children to keep secrets. They praised DeeDee for raising awareness about this critical issue, recognizing that good intentions can sometimes lead to harmful lessons.
Ultimately, DeeDee’s message is clear: grandparents should strengthen family bonds, not weaken them. It’s not just about a cookie; it’s about teaching children the value of trust and honesty in their relationships.