How to Discipline Your Children When They Get Caught Cheating

The disappointment and embarrassment you might feel in response to your child cheating may be difficult to manage. As challenging as a cheating situation is, strive to use it as a teachable moment to impress important lessons on your growing child. With the right approach, you can assess the entire situation to help ensure that your child doesn't feel tempted to cheat again.

Instructions

    • 1

      Speak with your child about the cheating incident to understand what motivated the behavior. Listen carefully and respectfully as your child explains herself. You might hear a remorseful attitude that suggests fear of failure, a bored child who feels unmotivated or even a child without remorse who wanted to achieve a better grade without studying, advises the Ask Dr. Sears website. Ask questions to clarify details and resist judging your youngster as you strive to understand her motivations.

    • 2

      Explain the damage that occurs with cheating to your child so he understands the harm it may cause. Tell your child that when he cheats, he hurts himself because he isn't learning the material he needs to learn, recommends the Massachusetts Children's Trust Fund website.

    • 3

      Communicate your desire for your child to work and try her best. Shift the focus away from the end result of grades and over to your child's effort to help her feel more confident about trying and succeeding. For example, you might say, "I would much rather you try as hard as you can to earn a B or a C than have you cheat to get an A you didn't deserve. You will learn more when you work and earn the grades you deserve."

    • 4

      Support whatever school sanctions your child will receive in response to her cheating behavior. The school might give an automatic failing grade for the test or the assignment, which will likely affect your youngster's overall grade for the class. By supporting the consequence, you give your child the message that her behavior is unacceptable.

    • 5

      Consider professional intervention if the cheating behavior continues. A child who engages in repeated cheating may be trying to get attention or trying to get help for other issues or problems, warns the Kansas Children's Service League website. Counseling or therapy might resolve a deeper emotional need, which would in turn stop the child's cheating behavior.

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