Kate has developed a new habit. It’s called making crap up. The girl will tell a story when the truth would sound better.
It’s not about serious things… she doesn’t lie to try to get out of being in trouble (most of the time). Generally speaking, it’s stuff of zero consequence, and a lot of times it seems like she does it in an effort to justify her decisions or actions.
My initial reaction to this was to demand that she admit what she was saying wasn’t true, but as I continued to think about it, I wondered if it wasn’t some sort of developmental thing and maybe I was being too hard on her.
So, whaddya think? Are tall tales something to nip in the bud or are they a sign of budding creativity?
Just tell her she’s going straight to hell, that should take care of it!
*just kidding people*
We had this problem with my son. We made a big effort to explain the difference between the truth and a made up story. When he started fabricating details, I would ask, “Is this true life or a story?”
If he admitted it was a story, I would compliment him lavishly on his great story telling. When he tried to pass it off as truth, we’d poke holes in the story until he admitted it was a lie. Then we would talk about how bad it is to lie.
Giving him something to shoot for–a really good story that we’d gush about, seemed to nip it in the bud. HTH.
hmm, more developmental than anything else. Ignore, ignore, ignore and reward the truthful stories.
I don’t know how old she is, but it reminds me of a scene in, “A Tree Grows in Brooklyn,” when a teacher has to explain to Francie, the main character, probably 10 or so at the time, the difference between truth and fiction. She tells Francie to always TELL the truth, but to write down the better version, the story as it might have been. (Horrible synopsis, but I’ve got a broken wrist and typing is a pain…you get the idea anyway!)
Like the time she told me you guys were at the zoo and a lion got out but you were safe because you saw it from inside one of the stores? The girl has imagination! And it’s so funny because I can see her processing it as the story goes on. ” I saw a lion get out of the cage at the zoo… (thinking) but I was safe… (thinking) because I was inside the store.”
I wouldn’t worry about it until it A. gets out of control. B. Embarrasses you in public. and C. Gets DFACS called in.
Maybe she’s a member of the next generation of Mommy Bloggers!!
UP
I wouldn’t worry too much – keep trying to (calmly) explain truth/fiction. She’ll get it eventually, I think.
Jenny may have been a little harsh. Do you remember Cotton?
We must have the Cotton story now!!!!!!!
Cotton was Jenny’s imaginary friend,Lori.. I remember when I taught pre-k and K-gart. that it was amazing how many kids in my class went to King’s Island or the zoo,etc. on the same weekend! It was really hard to tell who actually went! I usually would say “King’s Island is a really fun place to go. I bet you would all like to go there.” I chalked it up to imagination and wishful thinking.