Parenting brings both joy and exhaustion, and sometimes parents need to be creative to survive. A new report from Skylight, the company behind the smart family calendar, shows that parents all over the country often tell their kids little lies as a way to cope.

Skylight gathered over 3,000 anonymous confessions from parents trying to handle the stress of back-to-school season. They found that many caregivers are not surprised to learn that 35% of parents feel overwhelmed and drained. Bending the truth helps them get through the day.

“We heard over a thousand parents express the same idea: Parenting is hard, and nobody has it all figured out,” says Michael Segal, founder and CEO of Skylight, in a recent interview with Parents.

The report, called the Parent Confessions Report, points out that one in five parents makes up excuses to find personal time. Additionally, 17.5% admit they tell small lies just to make it to bedtime.

So, just why do parents do it?

Well, researchers point out that parenting in today’s fast-paced world can leave moms and dads feeling tired, overscheduled, and guilty for needing a break. Sometimes, telling a little lie seems like the easiest way to spare a child’s feelings or protect their own sanity.

The study found that some of the reasons that parents lie to their children include simply needing a break, they have made a mistake mistakes, they feel stretched to thin, etc. etc.

According to Skylight’s report, there were also some “funny and creative” lies that parents told their little ones.

The amusing examples include:

• “To get my toddler out the door, I tell him the dog needs to go to work.” – Mom, 46
• “I tell my kids the ice cream truck plays music when they’re out of ice cream.” – Mom, 35
• “When I’m tired of kids’ shows, I say the characters are going to bed.” – Mom, 33
• “If a toy looks complicated, I say it’s not right for their age.” – Stepdad, 29
• “I convinced my son that his forehead turns purple when he lies.” – Mom, 35

The Parent Confessions Report reminds us that nobody has it all figured out. Parenting can be messy and overwhelming, and it sometimes requires some creative shortcuts.