Lessons in Truth
CHARLOTTE MASON VOLUME 5 : Formation Of Character: CHAPTER 1, PART 6 - Mrs. Sedley's Tale
Discovering that our children have lied to us often triggers a mix of emotions, including anger, shame, and betrayal. The intensity of these feelings tends to correlate with the seriousness of the situation at hand. But why do children lie? Well, there are various reasons. Some kids, sensitive to disapproval, may tell lies to stay in everyone's good graces, resembling those people-pleasers who go out of their way to please others with a smile, even if they’re resentful. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, it might be more effective to communicate that the pain caused by the lie surpasses the gravity of the offence committed. If your child breaks their MacBook and denies it, consciously stating that lying is more hurtful than the mistake itself can have a significant impact.
Another reason children lie is to explore their imagination, especially if they lack sufficient tales to fuel their minds. Beyond reading fantasy stories aloud, engaging in make-believe time, where you create stories about real or fictional characters, can be a valuable exercise. Lastly, part of our responsibility as parents is to teach our children about truth. We must not assume that children understand what truth is. It's beneficial to provide exercises that distinguish between the truth and what we wish were true, such as describing the view outside the window. Just like any other habit we want our children to learn, being truthful should be actively taught. That way, our children will grow up to be adults who always speak accurately.
Best Regards,
Olufunmike