Honesty is the Best Policy, Most of the Time

A study done on the relationship between families revealed parents want children to be honest, but not too honest.  Most moms and dads tell kids to always tell the truth but don’t actually want them to be that honest.   That might be sending mixed signals.  Researchers found it’s tough for kids to figure out the level of honesty that’s socially acceptable.   One example is opening a gift they don’t like.   Adults know it’s okay to lie in that situation, or pretend you like it more than you do.   But a kid might say something like, “I don’t want this, it’s ugly,” and because we tell them to be honest, they don’t get why that’s wrong.