Parenting Rewards & Responsibilities © 2007

Honesty is something you insist on from your children. You are aware that children will sometimes tell stories to protect themselves and avoid punishment, but to you there is a difference between an occasional “story” and continual, deliberate lying. You want your discipline to be fair.

Try This

1			Your 10-year-old has been caught lying several times lately. He lied about his grade on a test, where he went after baseball practice, that he returned his library book, that he took out the garbage, and that he brushed his teeth this morning. You are worried that he is not telling you the truth about other things, too. Answer these questions in the spaces provided: How can you teach your son the value of telling the truth? What discipline would be fair when your son lies? What disciplinary action would be effective? Do you think punishment works? Explain your answer.