We desire to know your unclean little secret .

It’s a universal truth that everyone has at least one secret they’vekept from their parents.

It’s not uncommon for us to hold onto a few things, perhaps even taking one of those secrets to the grave. You’re not alone in this, trust me.

Our love and appreciation for our parents is immense, but there’s often a line we hesitate to cross, fearing embarrassment or disappointment. Parenting styles differ, but I bet you’ve never shared that convenient after-school detour to your crush’s house when you were supposed to be studying.

How about that infamous end-of-the-year party that you were specifically instructed not to even think about but that you threw anyway when your parents left the country for their anniversary? These are the things we told white lies about, but I know they are probably worse, and guess what? That’s okay; it’s part of growing up. It’s a part of growing pains.

Whatever that secret, the bottom line is that life isn’t linear, we humans are not perfect, and the best truth yet is that our parents were not born yesterday. Odds are, if we have a secret we never told, they’ve already suspected it, or would not be surprised at your confession.

An upset young girl with folded arms sits on a couch, while a man in a pink shirt and brown pants looks at her with concern

Older man wearing glasses gives a thumbs-up to a younger man while both smile near a laptop in a cozy room

Group of friends toasting with beer bottles outside

Two people smiling and walking together near a fence, one holding a basketball

Man in a blue button-up shirt whispers to a smiling woman in a striped long-sleeve shirt against a plain background