Children lie. I know, you’re shocked right? No matter how much we pull out the 10 Commandments and shove #9 down their throats, they still lie. Why? One reason: To Escape Consequences

SCENE  ONE

Mom: “Did you push your bother?” (Will he confess?)

Tommy:  “No.” (Maybe I can get away with this).

You see if he admits to shoving his brother what happens next? He is going to get a timeout at best, or a spanking at worst. There is a great benefit in lying. He avoids the consequence for bad behavior. You on the other hand “saw” him push his brother or you wouldn’t have asked to begin with, unless of course the said brother has complained, or is flattened out on the pavement crying.  So if you can deduce the truth why give an opportunity to lie at all?

SCENE TWO

Mom: “Tommy, I just saw you push your brother, now get over here and take a time out.” (cuz I’m not going to give you a chance to lie).

Tommy: “I didn’t push him.” (Maybe Mom is blind).

Mom: “Are you calling me a liar?” (Don’t go there buddy).

Tommy: “No Mom.” (cuz that would be very stupid resulting in a worse punishment for sure).

This is the lying game that we Moms play. Pick which scene you think will work.

Now the older version is a bit trickier.

SCENE ONE

Mom: “Where were you last night?”

Teen: “With my friend Hannah.”

Now the reality is that she was with Hannah part of the night, but spent at least two hours with Rick. She won’t tell you that part. So she will develop a bad attitude and make you suffer because deep inside she feels bad  about lying. Fun huh? But eventually she will get caught, because you are praying for her sins to be found out, and because the law of “you reap what you sow” is very real. Now here is where I mess up all the time. I get crazy when my teen lies to me. I am so disappointed, why? Because I thought we were done with that during the toddler years. Wrong! Here is an ideal scene for you to shoot for.

Mom: “I found out that you were with Rick.  Next time bring Rick over here and I will make popcorn and cookies and pay for the rented movie. But for now there is a consequence for lying, so you are grounded this weekend.”

Teen: “Are serious? You are so unfair. I hate you! yada yada yada.

Mom: SAY NOTHING!!!!

There you have it. Beat the Lie 101. I have not mastered this class yet, but I’m working on improving my grade.

Blessings,

Lynne