Dealing With the Child Who Lies
Why would a child habitually lie?
Somestimes fear is the reason. A child disobeys his parents and rather than face the music, he denies having disobeyed.
One way you might handle this: when punishment for lying fails to stop the child lying, then the parents, without anger, should talk to the child, explaining, “We will promise you that, as long as you tell the truth, we will not punish you.” The child may not become a paragon of truth over night but each time he comes and admits to some infraction, and you keep your promise, the child will become a lover of truth.
Some children lie by way of exaggeration in order to gain attention. It may be that they learned that by listening to and observing adults trying to outdo each other and impress those around them.
Still other youngsters have heard too often, “You never tell the truth,” “I can never believe you,” or, “You’re always lying,” until they begin to feel, “What’s the use? Mom and Dad will think I’m lying , anyway.” Actually, such a child has hit on a very great truth that whatever our age we do well to heed. It’s this: The person who tells lies forfeits the right to be believed when he is telling the truth.
The finest teaching we can give our children and other young people with whom we come in contact is to be truthfull at all times.
(sc) contributing editor for Browneyedbabyboutique
Add comment September 29th, 2006
