Good Punishments for an 8-Year-Old Boy for Lying
When punishing your 8-year-old boy for lying, the goal is to improve and correct the behavior, not embarrass him, shame him or harm his self-esteem. Because neither 8-year-old boys nor girls have entered the emotionally erratic puberty stage and their personalities are still developing, consequences for lying are generally the same for both genders. Some children are more sensitive than others, so assess your child's disposition to discern whether a gentle rebuke or a more stern, tangible consequence is necessary. The punishment should fit the crime, so avoid lengthy, harsh consequences that are too severe for children this age.
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Send Him to His Room
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Elementary-age children are used to being part of the family's daily activities, so "grounding" your son by sending him to his room sends the message that you don't approve of his behavior. You might say, "I want you to stay in your room for one hour and think about why lying is harmful. It makes it difficult for me to trust you." Some 8-year-olds like being in their rooms, so stress that he'll have no computer privileges, TV, games, toys or music. You might also ask your child to spend the alone time writing a paragraph on how he might work on lying or correct a negative situation he caused as a result.
Take Away Electronics Privileges
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Without sending your child to his room, take away his electronics privileges, such as computer usage, TV time, video games or the use of a cell phone or tablet. It's best to set exact parameters so your child knows what to expect and can follow through. You might remove his privileges for one day and discuss that any future problems with lying will result in longer punishments, such as three days with no electronics. You must determine whether it is better to remove the electronics from his reach so he isn't tempted or allow him to exercise self-will. Trusting him not to use his electronics might backfire, but it can also teach him to be self-disciplined and learn intrinsic values associated with monitoring his own behavior.
Apologize and Make It Right
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One of the most appropriate, yet often most difficult, punishments for an 8-year-old boy is to admit he's wrong and correct the situation. He might have to apologize to his sister for blaming her for something he did, send an "I'm sorry" note to his teacher or call a classmate and apologize for spreading a rumor. Forcing your son to make amends might cause him to feel angry or resentful, so it's better to suggest the idea and encourage him by saying, "I know you'll do your best to fix the situation."
Considerations
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According to psychologist Laura Markham of Aha!Parenting.com, punishments are often counterproductive because they don't teach kids to hold themselves responsible for their own behavior. The fear of punishments might even cause some children to lie more frequently in an attempt to avoid the unwanted consequences. Talk with your child openly and honestly about lying, set a good example by always telling the truth yourself and discuss how things can go terribly wrong when people lie. You don't want your 8-year-old to feel like a bad guy; rather, you want to instill good qualities, such as honesty and truthfulness, into his character as he grows.
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