Hellobee Boards

This is one of my favorite things about kids!!

I guess I count on not trusting my kid for a long time!

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.

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!

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.