Those lying eyes

Interesting.

I have to think that perhaps kids are better liars because often they do not know what they are doing is wrong or incorrect. An adult has (or should have) the reasoning and maturity to know that when they are lying they are acting incorrectly. They will give off visual or verbal signals from this incongruity (eye shifting, pitch changes, etc.). A child fails to give off these signals because there is no disparity in what they are saying and thinking.

These are teaching moments for parents. I agree with the article on how to minimise lying:

• Set a good example. Every time you duck out of a boring social event with a fake headache, your child takes notes.
  
• Stay calm. Accusing in a loud, threatening manner is not the way to get the truth out of a child. ‘Usually children do not lie when it is safe to tell the truth,’ advises Parent24 parenting expert Anne Cawood.
  
• Explain the consequences of lying in a calm, rational way, and offer the child the opportunity to tell the whole truth. Don’t start screaming and shouting again the minute he admits to having done the deed.
  
• Avoid labelling your child a liar. Labels can become self-fulfilling prophesies. Give positive reinforcement to the truth. ‘I am glad you were honest. Now please clean up the mess.’
  

I look to the first as the most important. I realize even now how much Rooster mimics me and his father. Our example has to fall in line with how we want him to behave.

Obviously we are not having issues with Rooster - he's only 1. But we do have this to look forward to and we need a plan of action as to how we will approach lying. Not tolerating it is one thing - teaching our child why it's wrong is another.