When I was growing up, the worst sin you could commit in our family was to lie. I remember numerous occasions where I was caught in a lie and was given the speech. You know, the "we're more upset that you lied than that you (insert crime of the day here)" speech. Lying was a big deal - it eroded away the trust of others and cast serious doubt on your character.
I am continually amazed at the ease with which some people can lie. Whether it is a politician (*cough*Jim Doyle*cough*), a student, or a friend, the casual way that people put forth blatant untruths can floor me. But my biggest shock comes from the honesty of my own son. Seriously, this kid rats himself out on a regular basis.
Just today, Little J proceeded to smack me in the head with a badminton racket. (I don't know how he got his hands on it - yeah, I'm a bad mom. Before the hitting started, he was using it as a guitar and looked pretty cute!) Of course I took it away from him and the predictable tantrum followed. In between screams and while dodging flying limbs, I asked Little J if I gave him the racket back, was he going to hit me with it? He answered "yes". Thanks for the info kid, I think I'll put it away now. This was not an isolated incident - you can ask him anything and he will give you an honest answer.
WM: Little J, if I let you play with the ball, are you going to throw it in the house?
Little J: Yes I am.
WM: If your friends come over, are you going to share your Thomas toys?
Little J: No I not.
It even extends to notifying me of any misbehavior I might have missed. Anytime a conversation starts with "Mommy, look what I did/have", I have to brace myself for the worst. Crayon covered walls, ketchup on the rug, my make-up all over the bathroom.
It makes me wonder if this is a normal part of child development, this honesty. At what age do we learn to deceive? At what age does the desire for self-preservation or self-gratification take over? Hopefully, not too soon. In the meantime, I'll enjoy having that heads-up before I get whacked with a racket.
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