https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 31 May 2026 15:40:23 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242238 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 17:11:24 +0000 lady baltimore 2242238@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had this come up with a student. I actually asked someone on the psych staff about it, because I wanted her advice about how to maintain my positive relationship with the student without letting him think that he was "snowing" me. She recommended engaging in conversation about the exaggeration, showing the student that I was interested in what he had to say and in listening to him, and then gently probing with reality-based questions. So, for example, "wow, eight hours is a very long nap! If you really tried to sleep that long, what would happen? Would you miss lunch? How long so you think you could sleep before the counselors tried to wake you up?" It allows the conversation to continue, and lets the kid know that you know he's fabricating, but that you don't mind imagining with him. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242176 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 16:20:22 +0000 sarac 2242176@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I feel like fanciful exaggerations are different than outright lying. My niece (4 years old) has recently been experimenting with outright lying, and I can't stand it. But hyperbole and general whimsy feel more like fun to me, and not dishonest. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242162 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:57:12 +0000 littlejoy 2242162@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>This is one of my favorite things about kids!! </p> <p>I guess I count on not trusting my kid for a long time! ;) </p> <p>I think as an adult, it's pretty easy to know when they are lying or telling tales. I'd say if it's harmless, just agree and foster their imagination. If it's a lie that could cause harm, then I think it's important to start a conversation about cause/effect, etc. </p> <p>I'd be more worried about a teenager lying, because at that age, it's intentional. For now, I think it's really healthy, and could be pretty fun to hear their tales! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242157 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:55:41 +0000 lamariniere 2242157@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My son does this a little bit. I usually either ask him more detailed questions about his story in a faux-skeptical sort of way or egg him on. I think he knows that I know I'm on to him, but I see it more as his imagination at work rather than actual lies. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242154 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:54:44 +0000 mrbee 2242154@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@plantains: I love that, yah he has a very active imagination and his stories are always super over-the-top. I like your approach - thanks! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242148 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:52:17 +0000 plantains 2242148@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I remember doing this a lot as a kid and coming up with all kinds of crazy things. I just had an overactive imagination. For me, it morphed into a love of writing fiction. Around 6 my mum gave me a journal to write these things down and I started writing 'books'. I was consistently the top English and literature student as a result so it might not be such a bad thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/how-to-handle-massive-exaggerations-and-tall-tales#post-2242134 Tue, 21 Jul 2015 15:42:20 +0000 mrbee 2242134@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>On the walk home, my son told me he had napped for 8 hours today. His summer camp is only 7 1/2 hours, so I'm pretty sure that was an exaggeration!</p> <p>He's been telling a growing number of tall tales lately, and I'm worried that they will morph into outright lies over time. I've been calling him out on stuff, but I'm not sure it's helping the situation.</p> <p>How would you handle it if your kid was starting to regularly tell tall tales? </p>