So, how do you treat a lie your kid just told you? Try to
understand how serious the offence is, and deal with it accordingly.
Accusations
don’t help. Mold your comments to elicit confession. Show sympathy. Assure your kid that you
understand his point of view when he lies to you, but also clarify the reason to him. Your kid will
take a cue from your comments and will try not to repeat the mistake. He will also realize that
lying is thankless. On the other hand, your anger might aggravate this behavior in your kid. Your
child will be closed to the lessons you are trying to teach, and will be more likely to keep on
lying.
Be fair in your treatment. If your kid is trying to test the limits, or
what he can get away with, gauge the gravity of the situation and mete out a treatment that the
situation demands. Avoid being too hard on him. He will understand that he cannot really fool you
with his behavior.
Harsh punishment is no good for minor offenses. Keep a
positive attitude, but spare the rod when your kid confesses to a wrong he committed. Severe
punishment for minor offenses leads kids to extremes, they either develop an overly strict
conscience or become rebellious. Praise your child when he owns up to a mistake. It instills a sense
of confidence in your child, and he learns the virtues of being honest. Your child may not
completely understand the moral ramifications of lying. You need to explain the importance of
honesty to your kid. You can tell stories that bring out the message. Some fairy tales and folk lore
are good sources of such lessons.