Lying to your children when they are young can not only create problems for the future but also affect them in the present. If your kids find out that they are being lied to, like when they say they’re going to the park, but end up at the doctor’s office, they can develop trust issues.
We understand that lying is wrong and we want to show how children can be affected by it.
Lying Can Give Your Kids Anxiety
Studies show that anxiety and lying go hand in hand when parents lie to their children. This happens for a number of reasons.
Parents may want their children to obey them, or they may lie about going somewhere.
It may even have happened to you: your parents took you to the dentist instead of the park, as promised. It may have hurt them, but they had your best interests in mind.
As an adult, you can use logic and understand why they lied, but as a kid, it’s something that sticks with you the next time they say they’re taking you to the park.
The Relationship With Your Child Might Be Affected
Children’s attachment to their parents is often weakened by lies. Your relationship won’t be so good after an innocent lie. When we are young, we tend to believe the things adults tell us without thinking too much about it.
Even if it was something as ridiculous as “if you watch a lot of TV, you will get square-eyes,” we would still believe it. Still, when we realize that this is not true, we become disappointed and develop trust issues.
Kids Who’ve Been Lied To Are More Likely To Lie When They Get Older
Much of what our parents do will determine who we are as adults. Lying included. Children who have been lied to are more likely to hide the truth from their parents and perhaps even from their peers when they are older.
Even if the parents are a little dishonest, it still affects the future of the child.
Instead of lying, parents should try to reason with their children. Explain why they can’t go play today and why they have things to do; instead, they can play tomorrow.
Children, most of the time, understand this. Honesty and truth pay off, and in the future, when they are worried about something, they will likely feel safe enough to bring their problems to their parents.
They Will Have A Hard Time Adjusting As Adults
Lying is usually the easiest way out. Sometimes it is very difficult to explain the truth, and an innocent lie solves it. It is not so simple.
Children often feel the impact of these lies when they grow up and have to face some psychological and social challenges. When they need to readjust, they often feel shame and guilt.
Your character can also be affected. They can end up being manipulative and selfish. Acknowledging children’s feelings, offering choices, and solving problems together often attracts good behavior from children.
What are some tips and tricks you can use instead of telling your child an innocent lie? Share them with us in the comments!
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