How to teach your child to tell the truth. 3 parenting tips.

Most children go through a phase where they'll test their limits and yours to see how far they can go. During this phase, you may notice your child making up cute stories that are clearly not true. While no parent wants to limit their child, how do you allow them the creative freedom to use their imagination while teaching the importance of telling the truth? 

1. Use stories.

Fables are good bedtime stories for your little ones because it gives them time to meditate on the message. It also gives them quiet time to discuss the story with you. One of the best stories for teaching children the importance of telling the truth is The Boy Who Cried Wolf. It's an old Aesop fable about the little boy who told so many lies about a wolf near the village that no one believed when the wolf did come. The consequence? Sheep were killed, and he felt it was all his fault. Sharing these tales with your child will help them understand the value of being truthful and will help shape them into honest human beings.  

2. Do not let lies go unpunished.

Believe it or not, the first time your child lies sets the tone for the rest of their adult lives. If the child gets caught, they are far more likely to believe they will always get caught. If the child does not get caught or suffer consequences for misbehavior, the child knows there is a potential for getting away with lying. If your child is telling lies, tell them you know the truth and offer a consequence for their action. Explain to your child why it is essential they tell the truth. For example: Let's say you ask your child to brush his teeth before bed. If brushing his teeth is a chore he chooses to avoid, he may come back with an excuse for not doing it, such as when the dog scares him. If you know this is not the truth, especially if the dog has been with you the entire time, ask your child why he chose to be dishonest. Remind him that you'll love him no matter what, and tell him never to lie to you again, as it's wholly unnecessary and unappreciated. 

3. Maintain an open, healthy dialog with your child.

Children often opt not to tell the truth out of fear of how they'll react. If you provide a safe space for your child to speak to you without judgment or harsh criticism, they'll learn to trust you with anything they say, good or bad. You can further incorporate honesty as part of their development by including it in their chore chart rewarded by Wishfinity’s universal gift-list.