Before I had children, I assumed that when children lied it was because their parents never taught them any better or they learned to lie from their peers. When I was growing up, my siblings and I were taught that lying was wrong and would not be tolerated so I resolved early on that this would be a value that I would pass on to my own kids. That is why I’m always caught off guard when my boys get caught in a lie and I’ve come to realize that everyone lies at one point or another and that it is a part of life.
The reality is that parents lie all the time, even if they do it with good intentions. Some of the lies we tell our kids are just to make things easier for us like telling them that the park is closed when we don’t have time to take them there. We tell other white lies because we want to make our children happy such as telling them that the Tooth Fairy put money under their pillow or that the Easter Bunny dropped off their Easter baskets.
The Rayburns, from the new Netflix original series, Bloodline, have some dark family secrets they’re willing to do anything to keep from coming out, even if that includes lying. Set in the Florida keys, the series follows a family caught between the ugly truth and the terrible lie that covers it up. This is just the type of storyline that always keeps me on the edge of my seat. It makes me want to keep watching just to see what will happen when secrets and lies are revealed.
Although lying is a part of life, it’s important to teach children that it’s not okay to tell lies, especially when those lies hurt others or put them in danger. Here are some ways that you can teach your child not to lie:
- Teach your children not to lie through modeling being honest. It’s not going to work if you take the stance “Do as I say, not as I do.” Children take their cues on how to properly behave from their parents.
- Have consequences for lying that are consistent. It’s important for children to learn that there are negative effects to lying and that parents stand behind them.
- Don’t just tell kids that lying is wrong. It’s important that you explain to them how trust can be compromised in their interpersonal relationships if they don’t tell the truth.
- Celebrate your children when they tell the truth. It takes bravery to be honest sometimes and parents should acknowledge this when their children engage in honesty.
- Maintain good communication with your kids. If they feel like they can talk to you about anything, they will be less likely to hide things from you or be dishonest.
Make sure you check out Bloodline along with some additional kid-friendly titles on Netflix below that are related to lying and honesty for inspiration. It’s a great way to open the discussion in your home about the importance of telling the truth!
For Your Little Kids:
1. The Gruffalo
2. Care Bears: S1E8, Untruths and Consequences
3. Veggie Tales in the House: S1E9, Lie-monade
4. Little Princess: S1E9, I Didn’t Do It
For Your Big Kids:
1. Totally Spies!
2. A.N.T. Farm: S3E9, Pants on Fire
3. Spy School
4. Jessie: S1E14, World Wide Web of Lies
For Teens and Parents:
1. Bloodline
2. Revenge
3. The Bling Ring
4. Pretty Little Liars
Let’s Discuss: How do you teach your children that lying is wrong?
Disclosure: This post is part of a blogging campaign in collaboration with Netflix. As a member of the Netflix Stream Team, I received a promotional item as a thank you for participating. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
© 2015, Tough Cookie Mommy. All rights reserved.
I think I think a bit of both. Kids tend to learn from their surroundings which are either friends, family, parents, etc. It is our job to as parents to teach them not to lie and yes parents do lie too even if its a little white lie. That is still lying !
I think there Are always learnable lessons. I think I l st small things slide before age 5 as sometimes it is their imagination.
Lying is lying in my opinion, including lying by omission. I get that it happens sometimes, and many times to keep oneself out of trouble. For kids – that could be a dangerous mix.
I agree it’s important to teach kids that lying is wrong from a young age. Otherwise, it’s easy to get into bad habits.
Because our faith is such an integral part of our lives, we incorporate those beliefs and truths into all of our parenting. I think this helps because I can let my children know that this standard comes from a higher Authority, our God, and not “just” mama! 🙂
Definitely have to impress on our children the importance of not lying. I know I have good kids but I’m sure they’re going to make mistakes. A loving attitude as a parent is important so they know they can tell you the truth. Everyone has lied at some point, its nice to know we can be forgiven too.
I am sometimes honest to a fault–I’d rather not say anything then out right lie if it comes right down to it. There are times when a little white lie is better then the truth if it means saving someone from being hurt. I think I would enjoy that show-Bloodlines!
I really need to catch this series. First I have to finish House of Cards.
I always told my children something my parents told me…don’t lie and you won’t have to worry about what story you tell down the road. There will only be one story and that is the truth.
instead of teaching that lying is wrong, just try to tell our daughter to be honest.
I was actually going to start this series last weekend even downloading some episodes to watch while I was away but I never got around to it. Its on my ipad so I might give it a shot tomorrow since it seems to be such a rainy day ahead…..thanks for the reminder!