White Lie About the Cookie Jar

So I had this idea, you know? It wasn't even a grand plan. More like an off-the-cuff thing that happened while trying to get my kids out the door on time for school today. They were arguing over who got the last cookie in the jar, really the one they both ate half of yesterday and left sitting around. So, I said it was all gone, there wasn't even a crumb left. One kid pouted about missing out, the other just grumbled but seemed convinced. Now, here's the kicker: they started fighting again later over a different snack in the pantry. They can be relentless sometimes. I know, I know. Lying isn't really my go-to move as a parent, especially not to your kids about something so small. And maybe it'll come back around when we run out of cookies for real and they ask why there's none left, but at least today was smoother getting them out the door on time. But man, I feel guilty now that I'm thinking about it all day. Maybe next time I should just let them fight over crumbs or teach a lesson about sharing? Or maybe find some way to replenish the cookie supply before they notice? Oh well, at least today went better than usual.