6 year old son lying a lot... ?

Question

My 6 year old son has been lying a lot lately. Like I will see him do something that is not allowed, and he will tell me he didn't do it, or that he saw someone else do it. Or, if I ask him if he cleaned his room he will say yes, then I will check and it's still a mess. Or, his baby sister will start crying because he hit her, and he will say that he didn't do it, it was an accident, or that she bit him so he hit her or something (even tho I saw what happened). Today he pushed the cat down the stairs, then claimed he didn't do it, and then he said he did it but accidentally. He will tell us he had a great school day and didn't get a time out,t hen we will find a home note saying he spent recess in the office for doing something inappropriate. He just seems to be constantly lying to his father and I, but when we tell him to tell the truth he owns up to doing something wrong, then always says it was an accident. .

How can I deal with this and get him to stop lying?

Answer 1

My son did the same thing when his baby sister arrived, he is attention seeking, even though its negative attention, he is still getting something from you.

Try spending more alone time with him, praise all the good things he does and even though its hard, ignore the bad he does, if its physical harm towards something or someone, explain in a calm voice that he shouldn't do it again, explain why and then ask him if he would like a hug so you can move pass this. then 10 minutes later if he's behaved give him another hug and a kiss for no reason. When he gets out of school ask him "how was his day, what did he learn, who did he play with" Do this every day it'll help him feel important and keep communication open.

Also go on "dates" with him, get a sitter or dad to watch the baby and take him for a milkshake or to watch a movie but make it special and make it his time.

Answer 2

Spank him!  If that dont work, make him stand in a corner for a while.  Then start taking away things he likes like a game or something.  You have to stop it while he is still little.

Answer 3

Every time he lies he gets time out. No questions asked, when he gets out, ask if he knows what he did wrong and then ask him for the truth. If he lies he goes back in the corner. What you can do to keep him from lying is ask him "why did you do..." when you ask "Did you do.." you give him a window to lie. You know he did it and now you want to know why. If you ask why and he lies it's still time out. If you stick with it he will learn nothing good comes from lying and will stop.