Children are bad liars, yet they think they can outsmart their parents so they try their best. I think you know the drill now. Mum: Junior who did this” Junior: Is not me o”

“Where is your homework?” “The dog ate it”

“Who took the cake on the table” “Rats”

Some of their lies are so hilarious and obvious, admit it, there are times you actually laughed (for your mind) at how stupid their lie sounds but of course, you wouldn’t laugh out loud so as not to encourage them.

Parents have heard it all from these “lil” ones who think they’re smart, little lies, white lies are their specialty.

When you have an almost perfect kid, but who can lie for Africa, it’s definitely frustrating and mind boggling, but why do they lie when they know they’ll eventually get caught?

Don’t think you’re a difficult parent and that’s why your kid finds it hard to tell the truth, here are some reasons why your kids lie;

1. They see lying as an easy out 

Everyone likes short cut, at the moment when kids lie they feel that the benefit of lying is higher than the risk of being discovered, which is because they don’t think about their actions thoroughly.

For example, kids think like: If I tell mom I’m done with my homework, I can continue playing this interesting game, instead of doing that boring homework.

But what happens when their lie is discovered? They don’t think about that.

2. They’re trying to save face

We have a hard time admitting we are wrong and the same applies to kids. I’m sure you once had a hard time being honest when things don’t go as planned. SO why do you think it’s easier for your kids?  Kids make mistakes more often, and they’ll think you’ll disapprove of them if you know the truth so they lie.

Example: “The plate dropped from my hand and got broken, but I lied that I don’t know who broke it so that mom won’t be angry with me.”

3. They remember “the truth” differently

Sometimes they just mix up the truth, and end up thinking a lie is the truth. Your kid might have the mind to do something because he has planned to do it, or because he does it often he has done it in his subconscious, but in real life, he hasn’t. It happens to adults too, but more to kids because of their less developed memory.

Your kid might be like: “Yes mum, I watered the plant this morning” Because he waters the plant every morning, he might think he has that morning too.

How do I address my child’s lying habits? 

• Role model honesty:  Kids are always a witness to most lies that we tell, so they end up thinking if you can do it, so can they. Sometimes when you lie to your kids for the reasons above maybe, your kids know the truth. I admit there are times we tell white lies, but please not the obvious ones.

 

• Reward honesty: When your kids tell the truth, even if they did wrong, thank them and talk to them about the mistake they made and how not to repeat it. For me, I tell my kids “Tell the truth now, and I’ll let you go without punishment but if you lie and I find out, there’ll be consequences”

 

• Show compassion: Lying is normal for kids, so the only way to help them is by helping them learn honesty, instead of punishing them for something you know that even adults find very hard to do.