Parental Guidance
Truthfulness is perhaps one of the most difficult things to teach our children.
Most parents would agree that honesty and truthfulness are important qualities to develop in our children; however, the reality is that we are all, to some degree, less than completely honest in our day-to-day lives.
Most of us tell our children stories we consider to be harmless, like the ones about Santa, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy, but some parents believe that even this kind of storytelling is a form of dishonesty. In fact, some children are completely shattered and disillusioned when they find out the truth behind these stories.
Some parents consider it acceptable to lie about their children’s ages in order to get reduced prices. Some even ask their children to lie when asked their age. Then there’s the question of “white lies” – how do we explain to our children that sometimes it’s “okay” not to say the truth?
If it is not always easy for adults to know when telling the truth is the right thing to do, imagine how confusing it must be for our children. They know we value honesty and expect them to tell the truth, yet they witness our inconsistency in telling the truth.
Yet despite everything, they still persist on lying, create consequences for their behavior. Withdraw a privilege like watching TV or playing with friends. The important thing is that they know beforehand that every time they lie, that privilege will be withdrawn. That way they will be choosing their behavior and thus the consequence.
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Published in: Family
svishnugopal | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
every parent must read this..good
Themax | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks very good to know
Petalm | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
All so true.
AlmaG | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Very informative
Frances Lawrence | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
A very informative article.
cebuanaeyez | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
I agree with you! It’s important to keep an open communication and be as honest as possible!
Jane Benitez | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
You are so right and certainly make some valid points. We all want our children to participate in make believe but we must use good judgement when it comes to honesty. Great article and appreciate your views.
palak2008 | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks cebuanaeyez …We have to be honest as u said….
palak2008 | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Jane Benitez….I appreciate your opinion..
cutedrishti8 | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
I agree with Jane..
dataoutsourcing | Nov 9, 2009 | Reply
A nice one…
palak2008 | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Thanks Vishnu..I hope So…Every parent will get some help from this
palak2008 | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Thanks AlmaG, Frances, Cutedrishti and all of u for your helpful response
Darla Cooke | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Very good article!
diamondpoet | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
Nice article and good write.
Johanny Lisbeth | Nov 10, 2009 | Reply
This is a dream come true for every parent lol
Great article, I am into children learning articles and so forth.
Netty net | Nov 11, 2009 | Reply
I don’t have kids, but I how true.
mxpower | Nov 11, 2009 | Reply
Very informative must know information. Great article
Aiyanna | Nov 11, 2009 | Reply
I really needed these tips… Have a three year old who needs to be taught this
Lisa Clayton Williams | Nov 12, 2009 | Reply
Good points! I agree with the type of discipline you mentioned in the last paragraph….I’ve used that with great success with my 6 year old!
drelayaraja | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Great tips and informations. The article is very much useful to people like me.
Anuradha Ramkumar | Nov 14, 2009 | Reply
Excellent article. Added you as my friend in Triond.