I don't know if it's a question of "honesty" or just that they subscribe to the illusion that they do or can potentially control something. Then they get so frustrated when things don't go the way they wish.

Improv reminds you that you are not in control -- one-word-at-a-time story or even one-sentence-at-a-time story is an example.

One of my favourite quotes is from psychologist William Glasser. He was talking about parents and children: Control is destructive because “when it occurs in any relationship, it almost always begins ... the disconnecting process.” When you try to control another person, they start to become “disengaged, separated, uncoupled, disassociated, and withdrawn." - From William Glasser, Choice Therapy (Harper Collins, 1999)

and

What we cannot control, we can at best influence. And our ability to influence our children rests solely upon the strength of the relationship we have with them, which can be enhanced by replacing destructive habits with constructive ones that can foster the sense of parent-child connection. It is only when we successfully make our children feel loved and connected that we regain control on how our journey through parenthood will continue to unfold.