I am conflicted as I paint a picture of my son's dad that is very rose-tinted, to protect him from the truth. Photograph: GettyQuestionI have a teenage son and am wondering how to tell him about his father, who I will call John (not his real name). My son has additional needs, and it’s been very challenging to raise him and earn enough money to pay for everything. I am conflicted, therefore, as I paint a picture of his dad that is very rose-tinted to protect my son from the truth. Am I better to be truthful to my son, or to continue to lie to him and carry this situation?

Source: The Irish Times March 25, 2026 21:02 UTC