Experts say kids lie for the same reason adults do - to avoid unpleasant consequences. But how we as parents react to these bouts of dishonesty, can go a long way towards preventing lies in the future. I've discovered that it's important to show your child that you're not going to blow your top and that I have to help my son to be more honest by keeping my anger in check.
Communication is the key. One family oriented website I visited recently listed ways parents can improve their responses to children when they know they are being dishonest. I found it helpful and perhaps you will too when your child tries to avoid telling the truth.
For example, If your child says, "I didn't break the (you fill in the blank)," instead of telling him that he's not telling the truth and accusing him anyway, we as parents can say something like: "You're worried I'll get angry if you tell the truth, but accidents happen. Let's think of a way to fix it."
Here's another example: When Nicholas tells me that he's already brushed his teeth, when it's evident that he hasn't, an effective response can be: "Let's do it together now anyway."
They are simple responses, sure. But for me it's important not to get overly angry, especially as I remember that he's trying to avoid being punished. And who hasn't done that?
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