Honesty is the best policy.

Is it enough to make your child mug up this quotation? Will it really instill the right values and honesty in your child? Naaah! More often than not, your child will remember this statement all through his/her life without actually imbibing it in behavior. When your kids watch movies where goondagardi & dhokhebaazi is glamorized and glorified, dont you think the Gandhian philosophy of life would pale in comparison? It is really sad that to bring back the memories of the Father Of The Nation, we have to rely on Munna Bhai.

So how do you get your son to own up when he breaks the marmalade jar? How do you teach your four year old daughter to not lie about having a stomach ache every time she wants to avoid school?

Identify The Reason Kids Lie: Children usually lie because they do not wish to disappoint their parents. Or they lie due to the fear of punishment. If you address these two outcomes (as perceived by your kids), you can help them in sticking with the truth. So if your son has broken the jar, he should not be afraid of admitting the truth due to the fear of punishment. Punishing kids is not the right way of instilling right values in your children. Create an atmosphere where your child can admit to his/her mistakes without the fear of being judged or punished.

Stop Labeling: every time you call your child a liar or jhootha, you are laying the foundation for defensiveness and continuation of such behavior. Your child may start thinking this is what my parents think and expect of me, so why not? Wouldnt it be much better if you just show your disapproval for the lie without focusing on the liar? The distinction between the lie and the liar helps your child to come out with the truth.

Keep Your Cool: It would hurt any mom to catch her child in the midst of a lie. But if you wish to deal with the situation in a rational and positive manner, refrain from anger. Keep your cool and never get into the punishing mode. No punishment has ever made things better. It only makes your child defensive and afraid. A child who is punished for doing something bad and lying will forever become scared of admitting the truth. This child will focus on how not to get caught in the future.

Positive Reinforcements: Lavish praise on your child whenever she/he tells the truth. Positive reinforcements of desired behavior work better when you wish to bring behavioral changes and improvements in your kids.

Set an Example: When you lie about your childs age (to be able to get away without having to buy his/her ticket for the bus or train), you are sending him/her a signal that lying is OK. Similarly your child can perceive when you lie about grown up subjects like divorce/death/sickness. Try to be truthful and honest in your behavior coz your child is watching you!!!