Are You Raising a Liar?

Q: “I see signs of my child beginning to lie. He’s only 5. Now that he’s in kindergarten, he suddenly has been displaying this behavior, and it seems to be getting worse. We’ve warned him many times that lying is wrong and could ruin his reputation. How can I break this habit so it won’t become a character problem in his future?” 


Joyce: His lying sounds like a learned behavior since there appeared to be a sudden onset; therefore, it is a correctable one. Set the rules and consequences regarding lying. Make sure you follow through with the assigned punishment so he will be certain what will follow should a lie be discovered, reminding him that the truth typically surfaces. Keep a watchful eye on his circle of friends. Assessing the source of the problem, whether through new acquaintances or a need for attention, will help you get a game plan for how to find a solution.

A word of caution: Be careful not to label your child a liar. If others hear it, or if any unkind clichés surface, such as “Liar, liar, pants on fire,” his reputation will precede him and exacerbate the problem. Let him know you love him, but that integrity is the making of strong character.

Change your life . . . NOW! Write Joyce Oglesby, Family-Life Fitness Pro, at joyce@JustAskJoyce.com. Check out her books and other resources today at JustAskJoyce.com. Listen to The Just Ask Joyce Show M-F at 10am on WNDA 1570/WLRS 1600 AM, or stream it on TuneIn.