5 Ways Parents Teach Their Children to Lie

It amazes me just how much parents actually teach their children to lie. Parents may not believe they're doing this, but they most definitely are. Let's take a look at five ways in which parents are teaching their kids to lie.

On the Phone-

On a daily basis parents all over this country are telling lies while they're on the phone. Unfortunately their children may be around to hear it. A parent may be telling a creditor that they mailed the payment, when they actually didn't. The kids are aware of this, after all they overheard Mom and Dad arguing about the fact that they didn't have the money to pay the bill. So, this is their child's education in the art of lying to bill collectors. As well, they may be hearing Mom and Dad lie to their friends. Instead of telling their friend they just don't feel like coming over or going out, they make up some lame lie to get out of it. They may say they are too busy working around the house, when all they end up doing is sitting in front of the TV or computer. Perfect way to teach kids how to lie and treat their fiends.

Public Assistance-

Often times parents will bring children with them when applying for public assistance, either because the kids are too young to be in school, or perhaps the parents feel it will help their case flaunting the little darlings in front of the case worker. Whatever the reason, they are there to witness the lies. The case worker asks how many people are living ion the home, and of course the woman answers just me and the kids, all while knowing her new boyfriend who does work and brings home money, is living there with them. There's nothing like teaching the kids not only to lie, but to commit fraud, and take money that they have no right to in the first place. How many kids have heard Mom and Dad filling out their tax returns and lying about bogus deductions? Too many to count, I'm sure. The kids will be well on their way to growing up and ending up in a federal prison for tax evasion and fraud.

Don't tell Mommy or Daddy-

This is a popular one that happens in a lot of families. One of the parents and sometimes both may be doing something they don't want their partner to know about. Well, often times the kids are with that parent, so they instruct the kids not to tell the other parent. Now, depending on your beliefs, you may or may not think this is lying. However, know matter how you believe it's at the least using the children to to protect the guilty parent. This can have devastating affects on a child feeling like they must keep a secret for the parent who asked them too, as well as betray the other parent because they know something that may be wrong, and must not tell. This really is a form of emotional abuse. No parent should ever use a child to lie, or keep a secret from the other parent. These kids will have no idea what an healthy, honest relationship look like. When they grow up, more than likely they will do it to their kids, and spouse as well.

Work-

I wonder how many kids have heard one or both of their parents calling in sick to work. and don't even have a sniffle? I'm sure there are plenty. Second only to that is the broke down care excuse when calling into work. All the while the kids know darn well that Dad just got back from the convenience store with his six pack of beer for his mini-vacation. Or perhaps they hear Mom and Dad making up some story to tell Mom or Dad's boss so they can get their vacation time at a busy time of the year. Yes, everyday all over this country parents are lying up a storm about work. Great way to teach a kid, again not only how to successfully lie in 100 ways or less, but it's also teaching kids it's okay to be lazy, and how to let their co-workers down.

Domestic Violence-

Sometimes when there is domestic abuse and the police officer is called to the home the kids are threatened by the abuser to either lie or suffer the consequences. Not only are they afraid that the abuser will hurt them, but they are also afraid that the parent who is being abused will be hurt again. There are also cases where the parent who is abused will also asked the kids to lie and say nothing happened, as the abused doesn't want the abuser to go to jail. Kids in this situation not only learn to lie, but they learn how to protect the abuser as well. They can also develop a sense that they are responsible for the safety of the parent being abused, by what they say or don't say. No child should ever have to feel that weight of responsibility about anyone. This scenario also teaches kids to lie to authority figures.

In the end each parent must honestly look at those things they are teaching and passing down to their children. Let not the parent, who whether consciously or inadvertently teaches their kids to lie, be then surprised, when they raise a child into adulthood who is dishonest!