Early in life, we are taught (usually by our parents) that lying is not acceptable. My parents worked very hard to instill good values in me and I think I turned out pretty good. I wasn't around to witness Derek's upbringing, but I'm pretty sure his parents worked just as hard to make sure their little boy would grow up to be an honest man.
Knowing this about both of us, I'm concerned because I've started to take note of just how many times Derek and/or I will tell a "little lie" to Andrew. Now, these "little lies" are usually in an effort to end a tantrum, stop the screaming, quiet a string of endless questions...you get my point! I think you know what I'm talking about...but just in case you are not familiar with this creative parenting technique; I'll share a few of my recent favorites...
Your child asks EVERY DAY, when driving into the neighborhood after being out all morning, if the pool is open…you respond “The pool only opens after naptime honey.”
Your child begs to go out for ice cream…when you just can’t take it anymore, you tell him that all of the ice cream stores are closed.
It takes your child what seems like an hour to get in the car, and this only seems to take longer when it is 100 degrees and muggy both outside and inside the car. Upon entering the vehicle, your child complains that “the car smells hot mommy!” You respond, “Well, get in your seat quickly. The air conditioning will only start working when you’re in your seat and your seatbelt is on.”
So, herein lies my question…when are these “little lies” too much? They don’t seem harmful on the surface, (in fact, they're quite helpful if you ask me!), but what happens when your child responds to “little lie” #1 with the following…
“Oh, so the kids who are at the pool now, already took a nap mommy?” BTW – Andrew did say this!
Or…when your child gets into another person’s car, and tells his friend’s mommy that she better get in her seat and buckle her seatbelt, so the air conditioning will start working.
Or…even better, what if your child is looking to buy his first car and innocently asks the salesman whether the AC only works when the seatbelts are buckled!!! Can you imagine?!?!
What seems to be even more of an issue, is just how easily these "little lies" come out of my mouth. I will catch myself after I've told yet another one, and think "Oops, I did it again!" So, what's a mom to do??? I'd love to hear your thoughts...
