Have you ever wondered how to stop kids telling lies?
Almost all children have told lies before. There are several reasons why children lie. This article helps aim to show you how to stop kids telling lies.
Parenting a child can at times be challenging. Children sometimes distort the truth. Luke told his father that he completed his history report. Luke’s father was so proud that he rewarded him with an additional $25 to his allowance. Unbeknownst to his father, Luke was telling a lie.
Does this story sound familiar?
Why do children lie?
Children lie for a variety of reasons. Some children lie to get out of trouble. Children are in fear of being reprimanded and fear the consequences of their actions so a lie helps them to escape the repercussions.
Some children lie because they want to enhance their achievements. They may want to gain recognition and praise by impressing their parents or friends. Other children lie to evade an unlikable task. They do not want to do something such as complete their homework, go to bed at a certain time or eat their vegetables.
Children need to understand that lying hurts your relationship. It can make parents lose trust in a child. Parents will feel as though they cannot count on the child to tell the truth even if it is being told. Once the mistrust sets in, it is difficult for both the parent and child to get it back.
There are several reasons why children lie. Whatever the case may be, it is important for parents to find the reason a child embellishes the truth. Parents should find out the purpose for children distorting the truth.
How to stop kids telling lies
Here are some suggestions for parents to help their children to tell the truth and be honest:
Model good behaviour for children
I am a parent and yes I have told a lie before. Even little white lies and exaggerations are still considered “un-truths.” For example, my son overheard me tell my friend that I would call her right back and I didn’t do so. We don’t want those “little, white lies” to become bad habits for our kids. It is important that we model appropriate behaviour and set good examples. We are their role models and we must be truthful so they will be truthful.
Do not make a child’s lie into a “major” deal
In other words, do not disgrace a child for telling a lie. We do not want children to think that they are bad people. Rather, parents should have a discussion and tell the child they are let down by his action but not with him. Share how the child could have better handled the situation by telling the truth.
Hold the child accountable for their actions
Consequences could be losing phone privileges, removal of a desired activity (ie. playing basketball outside) or a desired toy (ie. not playing with the Wii for the rest of the day).
The consequence must fit the action and make the child clear the unacceptable but a good talk can sometimes do the trick too. When a “next time” occurs, you want the child to recall your guidance. This is helping the child to further develop his or her conscience and that inner notion of right and wrong.
Remember, all children have said a lie at least once in their lives. As parents, we must encourage them to tell the truth and to be honest but not to blow it out of proprtion
You might also like my post on how to stop kids swearing
