Lying
Why do children lie?
Children commonly lie to try to escape punishment. Hence the saying, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." These are called self-protective lies. During the first 5 or 6 years of life, children go through a normal phase of trying to cover up by lying. They stop lying when they learn it doesn't convince anyone.
How can I help my child stop lying?
The Rule
"Don't lie. Tell me the truth."
Discipline technique
If your child lies, respond as follows:
- Punish your child based on the available evidence. For example, if a dish is broken and your child has just been in the kitchen, you don't need Sherlock Holmes. Don't ask your child what happened when you already know what he did. Children aren't good at confessing.
- For misbehavior without any evidence (for example, you think your child watched a TV show you told her not to), overlook it. Trying to investigate it will just bring you grief.
- When you confront your child about misbehavior and she spontaneously denies she had anything to do with it, show your disapproval. Tell her, "I really feel badly when you lie to me and I hope you'll tell me the truth next time." If she lies about her misbehavior, give her a double time-out (for example, 2 minutes per year of age instead of 1 minute per year). Make it clear that her time-out would be not be as long if she had not lied about her behavior.
- Don't try to catch your child in a lie or make her confess. These just lead to bigger and better lies.
Praise
Praise your child for telling the truth.
Model
Be truthful yourself and lie as little as possible (including tactful lies).
Written by Barton D. Schmitt, MD, author of “My Child Is Sickâ€, American Academy of Pediatrics Books.
Pediatric Advisor 2012.1 published by RelayHealth.
Last modified: 2009-08-20
Last reviewed: 2010-06-02
This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information is intended to inform and educate and is not a replacement for medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.
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