David: Mom, what does blackmail mean?
Me: It’s when someone tries to get you to do something by holding something over your head.
David: Oh.
Me: You know, say you cheated on a test, and I said if you don’t pay me $100 I’ll tell your teacher you cheated.
David: I think I’d rather just tell the truth. That sounds too complicated.
Me: You’re right. It’s better to just be honest. You’ll get in less trouble for telling the truth than you will if you get caught trying to cover up something.
David: I don’t want to ever be blackmailed.
Me: Well, you probably don’t need to worry about it. It usually happens to bad people who hang out with other bad people.
David: Wait. When you tell me and Wade that we can’t have ice cream if we don’t eat our dinner isn’t that blackmail?
Me: No. That’s a bribe and parents are allowed to do that.