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It's naive to think we can know everything about other people. Behind closed doors, all of us carry secrets—big and small—that we keep even from family, friends, and spouses. Sometimes it’s out of shame, sometimes fear, but the possibility of being misunderstood can be reason enough to stay silent.

This time, let’s focus on parents. Recently, we were digging through the internet and discovered a few threads where children of all ages confessed what they’re hiding from their moms and dads. Here are a few that stuck with us.

#1

Young woman lying in bed looking thoughtful and worried, reflecting on secrets people pray their parents never find out. My congenital heart failure.

She's one of those people who makes other people's suffering about her, especially after I got a diagnosis for a hereditary health condition (that contributed heavily to the heart failure), because I likely inherited it from her. Every time I've mentioned offhand some complication of my health condition, she's usurped it and been like, "oh, I might have that too" and suddenly the convo is all about her. She does not have heart failure. If I tell her my aorta is slowly collapsing on itself, suddenly I'll have to listen to every little thing that has ever been weird about *her* heart.

My partner knows, my brother knows, I get regular echos, and my doctor and I have discussed treatments and palliative care plans. I'm not telling my mom about this until I'm on my death bed. I just want to be able to grieve my own health for once.

TarantulaWithAGuitar , ManuelTheLensman / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Fluffy Cat Sleeps
Community Member
Premium
4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That's tragic and I can relate.

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    #2

    Young man looking up thoughtfully, reflecting on personal secrets people pray their parents never find out. I have ADHD and ASD, and that’s why I was a ‘daydreamer’ and ‘oversensitive’ and ‘never lived up to your potential’. Turns out a massive IQ doesn’t compensate for developmental disorders.

    Ok_Heart_7193 , Levi Meir Clancy / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #3

    Man in a white helmet and orange vest taking notes at a construction site, hiding secrets people pray parents never find out For reasons completely unknown to me my mom sort of wrote me off as a teenager. Years later she died thinking I was some sort of construction worker. In reality, I had earned a college degree on my own and was the Director of Operations for an Engineering company.

    She never bothered to ask so I never bothered to tell her.

    Upbeat-Sandwich3891 , Nina Zeynep Güler / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Rachel Pelz
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Wow that's sad. "Never bothered to ask"...

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    #4

    Young woman holding phone and coffee cup, looking thoughtful, representing secrets people pray their parents never find out. How disappointed I am in them. They are both Trump supporters even after raising me to be an independent woman. Even after I adopted my black daughter. Even after I gave birth to my biracial daughter using IVF.

    The amount of sadness, anger and disappointment I feel for them is sometimes overwhelming.

    WorkMomma88 , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    😥 [hugs, if you want them] It hurts to see someone you love become brainwashed.

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    #5

    Young girl with curly hair wearing pink headphones and a striped shirt, looking thoughtfully out of a window, secrets hidden. The amount of stress they put me through as a kid.

    ElizibethBathory:
    This right here. The first comment I had read and I can completely assimilate with that. I love how they all of a sudden develop “amnesia” when I bring some things up. “I don’t remember that…” so after that a few times I’ve just given up and worked on myself. You’re not alone. I feel you.

    Easy_Towel954 , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Beak Hookage
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My mum wasn't a b u s i v e but she does have this habit of saying "that didn't happen" and "I think you're making that up!" about harmless stuff I bring up from the past. But that's because I've got a better memory than her, so I just laugh and roll my eyes because suuuure it didn't, Mum.

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    #6

    Young boy smiling and reading a book indoors, highlighting secrets people pray their parents never find out. My parents bought me a book of World History filled with beautiful illustrations as a kid that I really loved.
    I would read it constantly.

    I never told them that a huge driving factor of that was that it had A LOT of nudity in it. Like t**s on every other page until they hit the renaissance.

    Then again I did develop a life long love of reading and history, so mission accomplished?

    SYLOH , Brooke Cagle / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Heffalump
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Don't feel bad. Back when I was a kid that was the basis for 90% of the National Geographic's sales.

    Pferdchen
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And now, school principals are forced to resign because 11 & 12 year olds were shown a picture of Michelanglo's David. Laughing recalling how awkward I felt at 14, seeing the actual masterpiece with my parents 🤣 https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-65071989

    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It can work that way if you love art and learn a lot about it, too.

    Tara L.
    Community Member
    3 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Lol I had a subscription to National Geographic as a kid.

    zvft2x6842
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The atlas in my p5 classroom had a picture of a naked woman with a naked man sitting in a sauna

    Earonn -
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nudity is nothing bad. It's human bodies. If people were relaxed about it, there wouldn't be this strange over-sexualisation even of pre-pubescent girls.

    George D
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The origin story of the founder of Chest Club for Men.

    Catherina Thijs
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It means ppl in all centuries and places liked t**s

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    #7

    Close-up of a young man wearing a blue beanie with a serious expression hiding secrets from parents. I'm getting a vasectomy on Friday and they will never have grandchildren from me.

    Boredom312 , Vadim Artyukhin / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #8

    Three people in business attire reviewing a document, highlighting secrets people pray their parents never find out. They think they pressured me into dropping a lawsuit against their “best friend”. They’re wrong. It’s still ongoing and I have zero regrets.

    HighHonorMrsMorgan , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    18d ago, no more info as of now.

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    #9

    A young woman laughing and running ahead of a young man outdoors, capturing a playful moment of secrets parents never find out. I (26f) moved to the UK to study. They don't know a boy (24m) moved to the UK with me. They don't know there's a boy. And we've been living together for 2 years now. And sharing bills and everything. Like we might as well be married.

    Now they are trying to get me to talk to some boys they think would make a good fit for me - typical Indian arranged marriage s**t.

    Gotta slide this boy in a planned conversation.

    Neat_Statement_9036 , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Nea
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As an Indian, I want to say sometimes we underestimate our parents. They might be (wrongly) projexting an image where they want same caste/age/class package but in real their love for you might be bigger tthan all of that. Happened with me, lied for five years abt my boyfriend, turned out they were happy for me.

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    #10

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families I’m a secret Christian no longer Muslim.

    No_Analyst8965 , Levi Meir Clancy / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #11

    Two young men laughing together outdoors, sharing a moment while holding a beverage, capturing secrets parents never find out. I am gay. I won't tell them because it might as well undo all the hard work I've done academically, professionally and physically. They won't see my accomplishments, but the fact I like other men. 
    I'd rather stay in the closet than have a black cloud over every dinner and gathering. .

    flyboy_za:
    I feel you on this, my dude, as someone who was you for a long time.

    Only difficulty is the long-term sustainability. The world is small. Someone you know who knows someone they know will see you somewhere and/or with someone, and you'll get a call one day Asking Difficult Questions.

    You should probably have an honest talk with yourself about what your plan is for that day.

    In my case, my family knew but nobody at work did. A colleague had a milestone birthday where I got to meet her niece who she always talks about. I had just started seeing a guy, and the day after that birthday party her niece ended up at another random birthday brunch which my dude happened to be at. They got to chatting and got along well, he added her on FB, she saw a pic of me and him, recognised me and asked who I was, and then mentioned it to her aunt a couple of days later, who cornered me at work. Not bad cornered, per se, just kinda "so my niece met your BF, I thought we were close enough that you'd feel comfortable to tell me you were gay, because you should know you don't have to hide it around me."

    It's a very small world.

    Fantastic-Ant-4429 , Gabriel Martin / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Baba Caine
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh I work with you I deserve to know your history, religion, your private life and how many cats you own (if no cats the convo ends there for me) no I have to work with you and you don't get to know anything unless I share willingly

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    #12

    Teen girl looking distressed while sitting on a chair with a woman nearby, reflecting secrets people pray their parents never find out. That I'm in therapy because of my upbringing. I genuinely went because I thought there was something wrong with me, turns out I was badly emotionally and physically a***ed my whole childhood.

    anniestandingngai , Andrej Lišakov / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Mi So
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is so sad, but I’m glad OP is in therapy. Also hits too close to home, because while my family know I’m in therapy, they don’t know the real reasons behind it. It would k**l my parents to know that I was sexually abused for years as a kid/early teen, but could never say anything. Therapy has been the best thing I ever did for myself.

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    #13

    Soldiers in tactical gear sitting closely together inside a military transport vehicle, representing hidden secrets. Left the active Army in 2005. Couple of weeks later, got a call from a recruiter who wanted to send me to Baghdad on a contract for a few months. Told Mom (in Phoenix) that I'd be working in Tennessee (that's where the company HQ was). Got a box at a Mailboxes Etc. and told her it was my apartment number. Ended up staying in Baghdad for two years. Told her the company sent me on work trips to Europe every few months (actually just mandatory vacations to avoid burnout; stayed out of the US for tax purposes).

    Came back to the US to work at the company HQ in Tennessee, "moved apartments". Joined the Reserves because, hey, why not, make a few bucks on the weekend. First drill: "We're deploying to Iraq in six months."

    Called one of the Ugandans I worked with in Baghdad. "Hey, remember how my mom didn't know I was in Baghdad? Okay, send me pics of Uganda every week for the next year or so."

    Called Mom. "Hey, the company's sending me to Uganda for a year. No, it's perfectly safe, I'll be working in Kampala, on a very secure compound. I'll make sure to send you pictures when I travel."

    15 years later, she still doesn't know that I ever went to Iraq. I accidentally mentioned Amman once, years later, but played it off as being one of those work trips.

    Glad-Toe547 , Diego González / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    rorschach-penguin
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Why, though? Was he worried she'd be worried if she knew he'd gone to Iraq?

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    #14

    Young woman looking stressed and worried while sitting indoors, reflecting on secrets people pray their parents never find out. That I absolutely despise their political views.

    RidesFlysAndVibes , Curated Lifestyle / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    #15

    Person wearing glasses and a denim jacket using a laptop at home, reflecting on secrets people pray their parents never find out They think i wrote fanfiction as a teenager then stopped. nope. i still write it as an adult, including...ahem...adult subject matter.

    hjak3876 , Surface / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look. I'm a 29-years-old man who's currently working on a Digimon fan story, currently at ~220,000 words 😁 I write original stuff, too, but writing a Digimon story was on my bucket list since my age was in single digits.

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    #16

    Young man with nose ring and earrings, deep in thought against a red background reflecting on secrets people pray parents never find out. Pretty much my entire personal life.

    Tundrakitty:
    This for me too. My dad was very conservative and old-fashioned and I severely edited and omitted things in my life so that I could have a strained and unnatural relationship with him. I smiled and nodded a lot, the heathen that I am.

    He missed out on learning about who is kids were and what they did. He didn’t have the capacity to accept much outside his limited worldview.

    bzaroworld , Good Faces / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    SchadenFreudian Psychology
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Conservative, strict parents often inadvertently teach their kids that they can’t tell them the truth about anything.

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    #17

    Young woman hugging a black and white cat closely, expressing affection and comfort in a cozy setting about secrets. I have a cat. 🐈.

    Queen_Teen , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    OP: "To be honest, I live with my husband but they're a couple of streets down from mine. Believe me, even though I'm 30, they still try to boss me around. They often tell me pets will keep you poor. Like, I already have a house! I don't think I'm going to be poor anytime soon."

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    #18

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families My husband and I are poly. Happily married for over a decade, I just know it would bother my mom to the point where she would bring it up all the time. She would assume, quite wrongly, that this is something my husband pushed for and that I'm a victim, And she would not listen to anything. I had to say that countered her narrative.

    Jesus she's exhausting.

    shereadsinbed , Marc Bührer / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Rachel Pelz
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    No reason to ever tell her, is there? Simple case of none of her business.

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    #19

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families My parents broke up when I was a teenager and got back together a few years ago. I never got a chance to tell my mom that my dad was a little touchy with me in very inappropriate ways when I was a kid and I have no idea how to break it to her, or if its even necessary for me to bring it up since it's been so long.

    I actually have been thinking about this a lot lately and it makes my head spin lol.

    ultraviolette__ , Noah Silliman / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    KnightOwl86
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She definetly should be told the truth about him as long as they're ready to face it and deal with the consequences, whatever they may be. It could backfire and become a case of your word against there's and without proof it's impossible to prove anything. Parent's should believe their kids when they tell them things like this happened but it's shockingly common for them to deny it and accuse the victim of lying.

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    #20

    Person showing empty pocket representing secrets people pray their parents never find out about financial struggles. That I plan on ending my life once my money runs out. No intention of living when old and broke - I am not afraid of dying either. Going to enjoy the time I have left then leave this mortal coil with relief.

    Personal_Secret2746 , Yunus Tuğ / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Rhinocersauce
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Same, but it's a race between money and health. Watching dementia (and cancer, and blindness) take someone important to me gave me a healthy appetite to avoid the same experience

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    #21

    Young man in a hoodie sitting outdoors looking distressed, representing secrets people pray their parents never find out. How badly she makes me feel about myself.

    zjstloves26 , Roman Holoschchuk / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Fluffy Cat Sleeps
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I told my mom. Apparently it wasn't her fault, it was mine. I don't talk to her anymore because it's not safe.

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    #22

    Young man in graduation cap and gown looking down thoughtfully, symbolizing secrets people pray their parents never find out. They still think I graduated from university. I actually dropped out in my final year and have been living a double life ever since, pretending I have a degree and a normal job.

    Fuzzy_Character9561:
    I've seen a few true crime stories start this way.... please don't k**l your family when they get close to the truth.

    krisberry2024 , A. C. / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    KnightOwl86
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I've seen a shocking number of true crime stories that start this way too.

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    #23

    White car with visible scratches on the bumper parked on a paved surface, symbolizing hidden secrets people pray parents never find out That it was definitely me who scratched the car in 1998.

    Justacanadianfarmboy , Arleth Méndez / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Rhinocersauce
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nice that they can be fooled. ..the anxiety of my dad checking his 89 Camrey for scratches every day...in 1996...

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    #24

    Young man smiling outdoors with blurred background, representing secrets people pray their parents never find out. I’m not going to support them at all in their elder years.

    HAPPY-FUN-TIME-GET , Marcel Strauß / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    One reason why you should support "socialism"... 👍

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    #25

    Young child in white shirt looking down with shadow cast, representing secrets people pray parents never find out. My parents beat the living hell out of me. They were lied to and manipulated into believing I was the problem, but little voiceless me had no say.

    But still, although my memories, my body is scarred and both my parents have passed...

    What I'm hiding, is, that despite it all... I still love them.

    Pirate-Captain2384 , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Fluffy Cat Sleeps
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's okay to still love them. We are wired to love our parents. You didn't deserve what they did to you and they don't deserve your love, but there's nothing wrong with loving then still.

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    #26

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families I blame them for my views on relationships and marriages. They’ve been married for 40+ years but they should divorced 30 years ago.

    ExternalSpeaker9 , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    KnightOwl86
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Most of the couples around me when I was growing up were like this, incredibly toxic and awful. My family always acted like I'm weird for being 'too picky' when it comes to partners, telling me i should just settle. I've always been the type of person who'd rather be single than try to force a miserable relationship to work.

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    #27

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families They are very old-fashioned and extremely prudish...

    They don't know that every time I go on vacation, I wear a thong or g-string on the beach, at the resort pool, or on a boat... and many times I've been topless as well. And several times, I've spent the entire day n**e at a n**e beach or n**e resort.

    anon , Leandro Crespi / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #29

    People socializing at a neon-lit party with reflective balloons, capturing secrets people pray their parents never find out. That my wife and I are swingers and every time we ask them to babysit it’s because we have a s*x party or kink event to attend that evening. They always ask what we are up to and I have endless excuses.

    LanceHarmstrongMD , Aleksandr Popov / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Ellinor she/they/elle
    Community Member
    4 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You don't have to tell them, that's your happy place and yours only, you're doing nothing wrong and you don't have to tell anything you don't want to.

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    #30

    Young woman riding a motorcycle wearing helmet and gloves, symbolizing secrets people pray their parents never find out. I have my motorcycle license and a motorcycle. I’ve had it for about two months now.

    I’m 24. My mother hates motorcycles, with a passion. I know that telling her will mean she will 24/7 assume that I a) am on the bike and b) am going to crash and die on the bike.

    It seems cruel to dump that stress on her. I don’t live at home and I can’t come up with a single good benefit to her knowing about its existence, so… it’s a secret.

    SimplyPassinThrough , Getty Images / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Kenneth Smith
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It's private. It is absolutely ok to use discretion in what we choose to tell our parents, especially regarding decisions that aren't theirs to make. Honestly, there are some things I'd prefer my daughter not tell me, now that she's an adult. She now has the right not to tell me stuff. We have a relationship where I'll know what's really important.

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    #31

    50 Secrets That People Will Never Tell Their Families As soon as I can financially leave the state. They will never see or hear from me again.

    mysteriousmeatman , Javier Cañada / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    R Dennis
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I know some of my daughter's friends who are like this: one is trans and his parents refuse to let him live as a male; another is constantly monitored and financially controlled... they both are working on escape plans and I hope they succeed.

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    #32

    I failed english 9th grade on purpose because I wanted to know what summer school was like. I was curious.

    akaram369 Report

    #33

    My family lived together, but I often felt like my dad was pretty apathetic on the day to day of being a dad. He had spurts of being engaged, mostly when we were on a family vacation or when I needed reprimand, but mostly just phoned it in otherwise.

    When he got remarried years later after my mom died, it hurt so much to see that he was more engaged with his step children. I get it … in many ways he probably felt blessed that he had an opportunity for a “do over” and he could be a better parent the second (and funny enough THIRD) time around. But d**n… that really hurt that my sister and I were like “the practice kids.”

    We have a great family relationship now. My current step mother is amazing and I love her so much for how hard she worked to bring this blended family together. She really is the glue that brings us together and I love her for that. I just wish my dad would take a step back and apologize for being really s****y for a long time. But that secret will be taken to my grave.

    Puzzleheaded_Lie6786 Report

    DC
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    It could also be that this is a deeply felt regret, haunting him every day, he doesn't see a way out of. It could be ... doesn't need to be so. But if possible, and you see a way to make it easier on him, it may be worth a try. After, it may not be important who's guilty, but who's reasonable and makes the unwinding of this possible.

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    #34

    How unloved and small they make me feel. They are the source of my self esteem issues and their voices became the voices in the back of my mind.

    devilsharvest666 Report

    #35

    Young woman praying silently in a church, holding a rosary, reflecting on secrets people pray their parents never find out. I don't believe their religion any more.

    And a bunch of other things, most everything about me, but that would be the biggest problem (kind of nuclear level) if they knew.

    Appa_yipp-yipp:
    I told mine about 2 years ago that I don’t believe in anything anymore. My mom freaked out, my dad didn’t really care, but they’ve never brought it up outright since. My mom just makes little quips here and there about Christianity and how it has to be God and blah blah blah idk if she just pretends I never said anything or if she’s subtly trying to convince me to reconvert.
    One thing I’m thankful for though is that they’ve never asked me to come back to church. And honestly my relationship with them now is probably stronger than it’s ever been. Idk if they’ll ever bring it up. I think they’re going on faith that the Holy Spirit will return me to Christ like a prodigal child.

    tiredapost8 , Andrej Lišakov / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    WindySwede
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    There are atleast 2000 religions? How do you know you were indoctrinated into the right one?

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    #36

    My parents are fundamentalist Christians who lean far right.

    They will never know I'm a leftist atheist. It's just not worth the strife. My wife and I just fake it once a year when we see them.

    DrDoomblade Report

    #37

    The fact we all think my mom's a narcissist.

    Lenalov3ly Report

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    #38

    Once when i was bored i got a hole punch and made small round holes in one of the house plants leaves. My parents were baffled.

    Sea-Cranberry-2 Report

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    #39

    Thanks for leaving me with limited coping skills. I have been programmed to just work. Thanks to them I don't know how to make friends or relax. I am constantly feeling guilty for being sick and unable to do anything. But I get up every day and still work.

    captaingrey Report

    M M
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I was the same. Youre not alone

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    #40

    That I have a lot of adult toys in my closet.

    Creepy-Brush3691 Report

    #41

    Bearded man wearing sunglasses lying with arms crossed on wooden floor, symbolizing secrets people pray parents never find out. I blew a six-figure inheritance from my Grandma on living the good life and some bad investments.

    fumlakimbo , Sandra Seitamaa / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    LinkTheHylian
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As long as you're not taking their money after losing yours.

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    #42

    That I’m trans.

    Jazzlike-Run-2349 Report

    El Dee
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You've told us and we all back you xx

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    #44

    Two women in leather jackets sharing a close moment, reflecting secrets people pray their parents never find out. I may or may not be in a lesbian relationship with my "best friend" but idk cuz its not oficiall or anything.

    Neither-Ad5539 , Natalia Marcelewicz / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Mike F
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Stay in school. That is all.

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    #45

    I lowkey want to be a girl but I won t ever come out.

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    Luke Branwen
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's extremely relatable to me. Like... I'm okay with being a guy, I'm not actively looking for transitioning, but if some entity offered me to turn me into a girl with a snap of fingers, I wouldn't say no. I try not to delve too deep into that.

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    #46

    When i was 15, i got shot by a 22. Bullet didn't go in, but it did ricochet into my eye. Made a blood oath with my friends to say i got hit with a branch that got flipped into my eye. Totally plausible. They died, not knowing the truth. 37 years before both were dead.

    RecommendationUsed31 Report

    Sara Frazer
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    -i-into your eye??!! I'm sorry I wanna know if your eye was okay! ??

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    #47

    Close-up of hands gently resting on a pregnant belly, symbolizing secrets people pray their parents never find out. That my wife is pregnant. They want a grandkid bad, but we're waiting until 14 weeks to start letting people know. We have a trip coming up with both my folks and her folks, so we'll spring the news then. I cannot wait.

    Pumkin_Girl:
    Did the same - told our folks at just after 12 weeks. I got a lot of playful telling offs from my mum as I'd had really bad morning sickness (from weeks 6 to 16, thankfully I'm at 25 now and out the other side!) and lied through my teeth that it had been a very bad virus :) 
    It really is such a wonderful feeling telling them, and so exciting the waiting period! 
    Good luck and enjoy it! :)

    ConneryFTW , George Dagerotip / unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    rorschach-penguin
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What do these people think "secrets parents will NEVER find out" means?

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    #48

    My wedding was really just a big party for family and friends (because we secretly got married at a courthouse weeks beforehand). The only person who knows is my best friend, who officiated the (symbolic) ceremony. .

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    #49

    That I (probably) got someone pregnant when I was 14. Either she had an abortion, was lying, was mistaken, or had a miscarriage. Whichever it was, no baby ever came about.

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    #50

    I smoke weed and I just lost a job opportunity I really needed because of it.

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    #51

    I am a sexual being which even as an adult I wouldn’t want my parents to know as a trait of mine. In my culture, it’s a taboo to discuss s*x openly in a family setting.

    Charmarch1987 Report

    Ahnjunwan
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Then dont. I do not want to know about my parents sexlife either, why does anybody think ofher people would be interrsted?

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    #52

    That the accident that started a fire and made a mess of their lawn ten years ago was caused by one of their granddaughters, not me.

    (One of my teenage daughters accidentally started a fire that left a big ‘ole scorched spot in my parent’s front yard. My dad’s basically a lawn guru who keeps his yard looking like something out of a magazine. Daughter was afraid Granddad would be angry, so when it came time to confess, I cut her off and told them it was my fault. Didn’t really need to. My parent’s would have been stayed angry with her for about five minutes. It did take my father about a month to stop giving me grief, lol).

    I had great parents. Didn’t really need to keep many secrets when we were growing up. Have zero need now.

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    #53

    I stole my moms earrings to give to my girlfriend in 3rd grade. She never found them...

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    #54

    I was spanked by Sister Margaret Sienna on the third day of Kindergarten. They always said that if you got spanked at school, you'd get spanked again when you got home. That was approximately fifty years ago, still no second spanking!

    KellyCakes Report

    Jayne Turner
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Sister Margaret sienna needed a punch in the face.

    #55

    I have my own netflix account just so I can watch kdramas without them knowing.

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    #56

    The reason I rented that whole basement for just myself when I was in college was that the girl who lived upstairs (and whose parents owned the house) was a nymphomaniac.

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    #57

    That I was addicted to c*****e for a year and a half and adderal for another 3 years during my 20s.

    they think I’m skinny because fast metabolism.

    needless to say, I’m approaching my 30s much differently (“metabolism will slow down”).

    Cultural-Agency-6995 Report

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    #58

    Every conversation I have with my parents goes like this:

    “How are you?”

    “Good. How are you?”

    “Good. Working going good?”

    “Yeah…it’s going well…what are you doing?”

    “Eating/ going for a walk”

    “Well good!”

    “Ok, have a good day. Talk to you tomorrow. Love you”

    “Love you. Talk to you tomorrow.”.

    apeezy18 Report

    Huddo's sister
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My dad doesn't have great communication skills (possibly autistic, definitely social anxiety) so finds it hard to know what to talk about. Apart from the above, it's mainly footy. Yesterday we visited my brother, who has a 4 week old though, so there was a little more to talk about :)

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    #59

    My ex reached out to me and we’re talking again here-and-there.

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    Gen X Feral
    Community Member
    4 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Oh god no! An ex is an ex for a reason.

    #60

    I lost my v card.

    Karliluxe Report

    #61

    The day I turned 16 I started having s*x with our neighbor. She had no kids, was single, and 30. I moved out at 18, she got married to some loser 6 months later. Best 2 years of my life lol.

    Weak_Foundation6988 Report

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