When I was a kid, I was a BIG FAT LIAR. I lied about everything. You couldn’t trust me as far as you could throw me. I was always covering my butt with some sort of lie.
My kids on the other hand are a different story.
I know they’ve told some white lies here and there simply because they’re human, and I’ve caught them a few times. The crazy thing is, they don’t really lie. Even if they know they’re going to get in trouble, they tell me the truth.
How could I have created children who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth? Ok, maybe they ARE afraid and that’s why they tell me the truth! LOL I think they know if they lie to me and I find out later, the consequences will be much greater. That’s my only guess.
I’m certainly not going to go up to one of them and say, “By the way, how come you don’t lie to me?” Let me give you some examples of how my kids could lie or deceive me, but don’t.
Several weeks ago I was on my way home from work and I called the boys to see if they were still awake. It was late and they knew they were supposed to be in bed. When I called, Buddy answered. He ANSWERED the phone! What kid does that? We talked for a minute, I explained to him that they should’ve been going to sleep and we hung up. When I told one of my bosses said to me, “And he answered the phone?”
I mean, there’s NO one else at home other than his little brother who’s going to know they’re up late. He could’ve easily ignored the phone, knowing full well it was me, and they could’ve enjoyed another 20 minutes of relative fun. But no, he answers!
Yesterday, while I was at work, Doodle calls me. My boss has to find me to give me the department phone. Doodle says to me, “Can I have a snack?” Sure, he’s only 8 and hasn’t perfected the art of deception, but who calls their mom at work just to ask for a snack?
I just rolled my eyes and told him to have a snack and that I can’t talk to him about this kind of stuff while I’m at work.
We definitely talk about honesty and that I will find out if stuff happens. They’ve witnessed it, and I think it’s by the grace of God. He has helped make my job easier!
My kids know me. They know that I have expectations of them to do the right thing. Now, I know they’re human and make mistakes, we all do. I just hope and pray that my boys will continue to follow in their sisters’ footsteps and keep being open and honest with me.
BTW I’ve overcome my lying and deceptive ways. Done a LONG time ago when I was in high school and determined I wanted to be the person people actually trusted. It’s a much better place to be!
How do you encourage your kids to be truthful with you? What do you do when you find out you’ve been lied to?
4 comments:
Love that you can admit that. I was also a little liar and a tattle tale. Don't know why I did it all the time?? Glad your kids are little truth tellers! It sure does make life easier.
My son, Sid, has always lied to me except he's not very good at it.
It's so nice to see kids who listen to their parents and do the right thing. We've been trying to instill these qualities in our boys. They are very good with their manners but we are working on telling the truth. Maybe I'll share this with my boys.
My daughter tells silly lies and is really, really bad at it. We giggle sometimes (not in front of her) cuz her lies are so bad.
Wendy
Around My Family Table
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