Ask the Counselor . . .
Wed, 02/26/2014 - 22:24
Edgar
By SUSAN LAUTZ. LPC.
Dear Susan:
My eight-year-old son has gotten into a bad habit of lying. I know all kids go through this. They usually tell lies to get attention or to out of trouble. But my son lies even when the truth would make it easier for him. He’s told some whoppers at school that have the other parents thinking I’m some kind of criminal. How should I address this?
Signed:
Tired of the Lies
Dear Tired:
You’re right that for young children, the line between reality and fantasy is very nebulous. What they imagine is very real to them, so when they tell you about it, they aren’t actually lying. As far as they’re concerned, the teddy bear really DOES sing them to sleep at night and there really IS a fairy living in their closet. This is one of the charming qualities of young kids.
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