How would you feel if your child felt he was better off admitting to something he didn't do ?

Question

Because you threatened to punish him worse if he lied? Suppose he was afraid to say "No, I didn't do it" out of fear you would not believe him and punish him not only for the misdeed, but also for "lying"? Then you later found out he didn't do wrong after all.

Answer 1

Glad none of my children have this worry.

But I've known and was someone like that.  And I would hope the parent in question feels terrible. I think the parent who did this would feel terrible and hopefully, if they had new kids, would not repeat the same mistake.

Answer 2

I  would feel like the crappiest parent on the planet. cuz anyone who would say that to a child to make them scared to tell you the truth is abusing the child mentally...and horribly

Answer 3

I would feel terrible.  

It seems your son sees you as someone to be quite frightened of, not someone who can help him.

Have a think about how you'd like to be with your son.  Then sit with him, take responsibility for mistakes you have made (that is very healing for kids) and come up with a better solution.

You are already on the right track.  Keep going.

Be well.

Answer 4

i would feel very guilty, but you do need to get to the truth, and praise them when they tell you the truth, and tell them how brave they are to tell you the truth, especially when they are admitting to doing something wrong