Why Do Children Lie - The Root Cause of Any Child Lying, or We Can Call It A Truth About Lying
I always got surprised and frustrated when my children lied to me.
Now when I look back and think, I laugh at myself because how could I expect my children to be truthful when I could not master the virtue myself! Can you remember the moment in your life when you told a lie to your parents? Well I do.
I can still remember the shock on my father's face when I told him a big fat lie for the first time and he knew that I was lying.
He could not believe what he was hearing! Well I still remember what his thoughts were, no different to any other parent, frustrated and angry.
Many researches, surveys and trends show that parents place honesty and trust, at the top of their list of demands from their children.
What some parents may not understand, is the root cause of lying and how, unintentionally they may teach their children to lie and the impact it can have on their relationship.
The world in which we live in does not help either, the media, television, internet and especially the things children witness in the playgrounds, are the places where children pick up dishonesty.
However, the first lesson of lying is usually taught at home.
I remember being very frustrated and angry when my children lied and surprisingly even more frustrated and embarrassed when they were blatantly truthful! I remember one occasion when our neighbour came to see our newly refurbished kitchen which was so clean and sparkling with that "new" smell.
They were saying how clean and tidy our house was especially the new kitchen, even with three children, however mid conversation my five years old piped up "Mum and dad say that your house is dirty and smelly".
We were so embarrassed as was our neighbour but managed to get away with some explanation that he was talking about the previous neighbour who had lived in the house and due to them being elderly were unable to take care of the house.
We managed to get away with this as this neighbour had only moved in six months ago.
The new neighbour had two dogs and four cats and lived in a small two bedroom house.
My wife and I had discussed a few times about the distinct smell that came from the house but unfortunately this happened in front of the children.
Boy oh boy we managed to get out of that one but it made us realise how careful we had to be.
Children just say what they hear and especially younger ones just say the truth.
They do not think that there is anything wrong with that so it is us, the parents, that need to be vigilant as to what we say and when.
I find it very interesting especially when parents ask me if their children will ever stop lying, I have one question to ask, "Are you free from this habit"? I always thought that I was a perfect parent!!
Now when I look back and think, I laugh at myself because how could I expect my children to be truthful when I could not master the virtue myself! Can you remember the moment in your life when you told a lie to your parents? Well I do.
I can still remember the shock on my father's face when I told him a big fat lie for the first time and he knew that I was lying.
He could not believe what he was hearing! Well I still remember what his thoughts were, no different to any other parent, frustrated and angry.
Many researches, surveys and trends show that parents place honesty and trust, at the top of their list of demands from their children.
What some parents may not understand, is the root cause of lying and how, unintentionally they may teach their children to lie and the impact it can have on their relationship.
The world in which we live in does not help either, the media, television, internet and especially the things children witness in the playgrounds, are the places where children pick up dishonesty.
However, the first lesson of lying is usually taught at home.
I remember being very frustrated and angry when my children lied and surprisingly even more frustrated and embarrassed when they were blatantly truthful! I remember one occasion when our neighbour came to see our newly refurbished kitchen which was so clean and sparkling with that "new" smell.
They were saying how clean and tidy our house was especially the new kitchen, even with three children, however mid conversation my five years old piped up "Mum and dad say that your house is dirty and smelly".
We were so embarrassed as was our neighbour but managed to get away with some explanation that he was talking about the previous neighbour who had lived in the house and due to them being elderly were unable to take care of the house.
We managed to get away with this as this neighbour had only moved in six months ago.
The new neighbour had two dogs and four cats and lived in a small two bedroom house.
My wife and I had discussed a few times about the distinct smell that came from the house but unfortunately this happened in front of the children.
Boy oh boy we managed to get out of that one but it made us realise how careful we had to be.
Children just say what they hear and especially younger ones just say the truth.
They do not think that there is anything wrong with that so it is us, the parents, that need to be vigilant as to what we say and when.
I find it very interesting especially when parents ask me if their children will ever stop lying, I have one question to ask, "Are you free from this habit"? I always thought that I was a perfect parent!!
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