Trusting Your Kids to Tell the Truth
We’re only human. So most of us are prone to the occasional little white lie. But should we expect our children to be truthful all of the time, or to worry when they’re not?
FOX’s Lisa Brady reports in this week’s ‘FOX on Family’:
Can you trust your kids to tell the truth? That question can be scary, especially if there’s a history of fibbing:
(Dr. Cash) “I try to be delicate in using the word lie because lying can sometimes mean very consequential with children.”
Psychiatric nurse practitioner Doctor Taaka Cash says from ages 4 to 13, most kids aren’t trying to be untruthful.
They just want to protect themselves from potential consequences:
(Dr. Cash) “What you want them to understand is that sometimes when you’re untruthful that that can be hurtful.”
So instead of demanding ‘did you do that?’:
(Dr. Cash) “I would say hey, how would you feel if someone said that to you; how would you feel if someone did that to you; how would you feel if someone was untrustworthy to you.”
And she says keep yourself calm, so your kids feel safe telling you the truth and will continue to as they get older:
(Dr. Cash) “Be honest with your children and when your child is truthful, show them that you appreciate their honesty.”
Helping them learn trust that builds a relationship and accountability when it’s broken.
With FOX on Family, I’m Lisa Brady.
