My 10 year old wont admit when he is wrong. Is continually lying.?!
Question: My 10 year old wont admit when he is wrong. Is continually lying..?
Is my 10 yr old a pathological liar.? My son is is starting to worry me. He will lie and not back down or admit even when caught. This is not the 1st time but now Ive had it. This morning he asked me for his glasses. I told him they were in my room. I knew this because he fell asleep there and I placed them on the night stand last night. He then went in my room said no they are not. I said check again. I knew they were there. He then walks out of my room with them in his left hand goes in his room. He puts them on in his room and tells me that i was wrong and that they were on his dresser all along.Why.? One time he ate the 1 of 2 slices of pizza and said he knew nothing. That there was only 1 left. He is scaring me.Health Question & Answer
Answers:
Why.? Because the current consequences for lying are meaningless to him. Make the consequences for lying meaningful (e.g., grounded for a month, no television or video games or any electronic device for a month, double chores for a week, 7:30pm bedtime lights out for 2 weeks, for EVERY LIE with NO EXCEPTIONS), and he will stop.
Guaranteed.
Warn him in advance what the consequences will be the next time he is caught in a lie. Emphasize that there will be no discussion, no compromise, and no debate. The consequence will be administered regardless of any alleged noble purpose for or "size" of the lie.
The next time he tests you on it, follow through. If the consequences are meaningful to him, it won't take many instances of applying the consequences for him to "get it". The key is being CONSISTENT and unyielding. At age 10, you still have a shot at turning this around. Wait much longer, and he will take this little "habit" into adulthood, where it will significantly and negatively impact his relationships and career.
Developing a habit of lying as an adult in the business world, for example, will result in consequences much more severe than a one month grounding (e.g., prison). You will do your son a favor by making sure you stick to your guns on this one.
Best of luck,
~Dr. B.~Health Question & Answer
Guaranteed.
Warn him in advance what the consequences will be the next time he is caught in a lie. Emphasize that there will be no discussion, no compromise, and no debate. The consequence will be administered regardless of any alleged noble purpose for or "size" of the lie.
The next time he tests you on it, follow through. If the consequences are meaningful to him, it won't take many instances of applying the consequences for him to "get it". The key is being CONSISTENT and unyielding. At age 10, you still have a shot at turning this around. Wait much longer, and he will take this little "habit" into adulthood, where it will significantly and negatively impact his relationships and career.
Developing a habit of lying as an adult in the business world, for example, will result in consequences much more severe than a one month grounding (e.g., prison). You will do your son a favor by making sure you stick to your guns on this one.
Best of luck,
~Dr. B.~Health Question & Answer