No parent wants a child to have a habit of lying. But did you know, that a child can lie since the age of four years? The question is why children lie?
Is it because they do not have a good moral concept, or because lying is the only option to get, what do they want? When children enter school age, usually lying is done to get what they consider valuable. For example to get the desired object, get appreciation or praise.
Lying is also common in children to avoid unpleasant things, such as concealing fear or punishment. And such lies often escape the attention of parents.
One of the habits of children who lie most often is pretending to be sick. Usually this lie is often used as a way out by children, to avoid punishment or unpleasant situations in school.
This sort of thing is the result of a lack of understanding of the child about the meaning of lying. There are many reasons why children like to lie, and this condition must be understood by every parent.
- fear of punishment
In fact, the punishment actually makes the child does not want to tell the truth. This happens because the child is afraid when he tells the truth, they will instead be punished. There is also a child who initially honestly practiced lying because of the treatment of parents who punish him when he was honest. That is why children often lie because they are afraid if they say the truth they will be scolded or punished.
- Want to be noticed and praised
The need for attention and praise often makes children make stories about themselves, but that will never happen. For example, the child tells his friends that he won the race, just bought a new toy is expensive, or will be invited abroad.
- Desire gets recognition
If a child mingles with a friend who likes to lie, he will behave the same as his friends. Because, just by showing the same behavior, the child feels accepted by the group
- Parent's demands are too high
Often parents give too high demands on children, while children feel unable to meet these demands. children lie to be happy and get acceptance from parents.
- Imitating a parent or a television show
Children will mimic the behavior of adults around them. If parents give excuses and say something to lie to avoid activities in front of their child, then unconsciously parents have given bad example to him. When children see their parents lie or recognize people lying on television, children will assume that lying is allowed.
- Very high imagination
Sometimes the imagination is so high that the child can not distinguish between imagination and reality. He then goes on to say things that are just imaginary. For example, the child says that he can see a ghost or can perform various jobs.
- To get his wish
The child knows that he will not be able to get what he wants by being honest. Therefore, the child lies in order to get what he wants.
- Protect friends
The existence of a friend is very important for the child. Generally children will always try to please, help, or protect their friends. One way is to lie.
By knowing this reason, parents should be able to create more conducive communication, in order to encourage children to learn honestly. Because when the child tells the truth, then the problem can be overcome more easily and on target. Thus we can shape the moral concept of the child to be better, and develop into a positive person in the future.