8 WAYS TO STOP YOUR CHILD FROM LYING AND TELL THE TRUTH

In the current era, most of the children have lied at one time & it shouldn’t be alarming if you find them with a little bit of dishonesty in them.

Lying may become a bad habit in a child if they start considering it to be an effective way of getting out of trouble. However, in the case when your child starts telling a lie, address it in a polite manner and you should discourage them from doing the same in the future.

In this article, Delhi's eminent psychologist and relationship expert Shivani Misri Sadhoo talks about 8 ways to stop your child from lying and tell the truth.

Establishing A Household Rule On Telling The Truth

Clearly establishing a rule at your home which lays emphasis on the importance of honesty and refraining from lying. This quite ensures the fact among your children that it is a truth which holds value for your family, even when it's hard to be told.

Honesty As A Role Model

Be a role model for your child for the values you want them to follow—that means sharing truth in all situations all the time. Children are not easily able to discriminate “little white lies” from other lies. Thus, if you don’t lie at a restaurant about your kid's age to get a cheaper meal for them or don't say you are sick to get out of a social engagement that you didn’t want to join. Somewhere your child will imitate you and your behavior in situations as these due to you being their role model by default.

Discuss On Telling The Truth Versus Telling a Lie

It doesn’t matter which age your child is in, the most critical thing it is to enlighten them on differentiating between telling the truth versus telling a lie. While conversing with your young one, it can be helpful to say things like, "If I tell you that the color of the sky is purple, would that be the truth or a lie?" then start comparing on the potential consequences of being dishonest and speaking the truth.

Most importantly is to lay emphasis on the difference between telling the truth versus being heartlessly honest. Children should be made to learn that they don’t necessarily need to broadcast the fact, “That’s an ugly shirt,” just because they are being honest. Balancing honesty with empathy is a cultured social skill that they should be taught early.

Distinguishing The Reason For The Lie

There could be 3 major reasons that make a kid lie: fantasy, pride, or to prevent undesired outcomes. It is when one distinguishes the most obvious reason behind the lie, it helps one plan to respond to it.

Often pre-schooler tell fantasy lies. If your kids say, “I went to the moon last night,” you may ask him or her “does it holds any truth? Or that something you wish has come to be true?” This will help kids understand what is the difference between reality and fantasy.

If a child lies because he’s bragging in front of you, it may be that he has low self-esteem or wants to gain proper attention. Consider telling them on benefit from acquiring new social skills or from getting into positive activities to uplift their self-esteem.

Sometimes, kids trying to lie just to avoid the trouble which they are facing. So, it’s important that their lies aren’t successful and ensure the kids that you will check the truth again if you find anything wrong.

Giving One Warning

Giving kids one warning when they are caught with their lie. For example: tell them- “let me know what happens I am giving you one more chance” If you are caught, you will receive an additional consequence or activity”.

Provide An Additional Activity

Give your child an extra activity if they are caught lying. You may be barring his or her from the electronics for specific days, or choose to assign extra chores to them. Barring them from some privileges or providing consequences due to a lie will morally teach them a lesson.

Discussing Natural Consequences

Speak to your child about the natural consequences of being dishonest. Explain that lies will make it hard for them to be trusted by you, even when he’s telling the truth.

Providing Positive Support For Honesty

When you come across your child’s truths then you should provide positive support to them. Start praising them by saying, “It must have been hard for you to tell me that it is you who broke that dish, Still, I’m very much happy that you chose to tell me the truth about it.”