To tell the truth

I think it was the famous philosopher George on an episode of Seinfeld who said to Jerry,"Remember Jerry, it's not a lie if you believe it." I'm not sure when children became such convincing little con artists, but it has happened. It sure wasn't that way when I was growing up. My mom knew most things I did before I even got around to formulating a good story. She could read me like a book. I could no more look her in the eye and lie than I could walk on hot coals. Kids today seem to be impervious to the parental stare. Believe me I've tried. They just stare back and I'm the one who feels intimidated.

I think Ferris Bueller has got to receive the blame for at least part of this. OK, so the movie was entertaining but kids took it to heart, if not to the extremes that Ferris did. If you are unfamiliar with the movie, it has to do with a teenager who skips school, convinces his parents he's sick, and has the time of his life while outwitting the school principal who doesn't buy his story. It has become a teenage cult film for pulling one over on the system, whatever the system is. I really try and trust my kids.... But I also verify.

I caught one of my kids red-handed doing something they shouldn't one day. They proceeded to look me straight in the eye and tell me they didn't do it. Next came the tears and shock that I would have the audacity to accuse them unjustly. It was an Oscar-winning performance. By the time they finished I really wondered what I thought I saw in the first place.

What kills me is that kids will sometimes lie when they don't need to. Teenagers are particularly susceptible to this. I sometimes think my teenagers feel obligated to tell me anything but the truth, regardless of whether it matters or not. Maybe they think I'm this crazed maniac that can't handle the fact that they went to Pizza Hut when they told me they were going to Burger King! I try and convince them that it's unnecessary to do this but I just can't get it through their heads. I still wish for a utopian environment where my kids will be honest with me over everything but I guess that's asking for too much. In the meantime I'll trust them, but verify!

Go To Page: 1 2

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic