On Lying

I came across this article from New York Magazine about kids and lying. It is fascinating! I had noticed that it seemed Serenity was starting to lie more frequently not too long before we removed her from the public school. She told some huge whoppers when she had been in trouble in class or on the playground or in conflict with other kids there. She really was not very good at it, but she was very persistent with them, refusing to admit to the lie even when confronted with evidence that we knew she was lying. The New York Magazine story says that, in part, kids who suddenly start to lie more are showing they are having trouble with coping.

Thrown into elementary school, many kids begin lying to their peers as a coping mechanism, as a way to vent frustration or get attention. Any sudden spate of lying, or dramatic increase in lying, is a danger sign: Something has changed in that child’s life, in a way that troubles him. “Lying is a symptom—often of a bigger problem behavior,” explains Talwar. “It’s a strategy to keep themselves afloat.” Read the whole story here.

Since Serenity has been out of school the magnitude, and frequency, of lies that I've noticed have gone way down. With fewer rules and less need to lie she is lying less. This is a good thing since she won't have so much practice at it and thus, I suppose, will not end up being very good at it. The hoped for result then is that whether she wants to or not, she'll pretty much have to be somewhat more honest, by necessity if not choice.

Heh, well maybe and maybe not but we can hope so. ;-/