Choosing Honesty: Tips for Raising Trustworthy Kids
Recently, I heard toddler screams emanating from the living room. When I went to check on my kids, I found a distraught two-year-old and a four-year-old who seemed to be holding something behind her back. Naturally, this prompted to a few questions:Me: Do you know why your brother is mad?Daughter: Oh yes! He wants his toy car.
Me: Do you know where it is?
Daughter: Maybe somebody took it and hid it!
Me: Hm, can you tell me who took it?
Daughter: I don’t know!
[Long, long pause]
Daughter: I think maybe it was me.
If your child has ever lied to you, take heart: it turns out that most kids have a strong tendency to lie when they transgress rules or expectations.
