Monday, November 15, 2010

All children lie.

Eric said something to me the other day that has literally changed my life.

"All kids lie. It's like breathing."

At first I scoffed at the idea and thought he was a horrible human being for even suggesting the idea. But then I began to watch my students and listen to what they say. I quickly came to the realization that he is absolutely, 100% correct. Children lie.
All kids lie.
About everything.
They lie about not seeing me in the hallway when their shirt is untucked, they lie about having gum in their mouth, they lie about why their not doing what they're supposed to be doing, they lie about getting their work done, they lie about who they were talking to, they lie about why they didn't show up for detention, they lie about everything. The amazing thing is that if you are, as an adult, prepared for this reality, you are able to handle the lies with much greater ease than previously. This also greatly aids in your ability to actually get the truth out of students (even though this may take a little coaxing).

Now I don't want to seem like a pessimist, more a realist. In all honesty, I really cannot believe how much this has changed my outlook on everything.