My 5 Year Old Makes up Stories That Could Get Us in Trouble. What Do I Do?

my son does exactly the same thing! except he also lies to me and tells me that people have hit him when I know that they haven't. It is so frusterating, and when I try to explain to him about the difference between make believe and real life, he doesn't get it at all and actually will start crying insisting that he is a King or a Knight or whatever the character in that particular story is. He doesn't really watch TV so I don't know where he gets it from. If you make any headway please message me!

Love this phase! My 6-year-old daughter is in it now.

Your son seems to be a bit more creative with his stories so I don't know if this will work, but with my daughter, when she tells me stories that seem out of the ordinary, I just ask if it's for real or 'pretend for real'. Then we have to talk about how it's great to tell stories, and people will love to hear them, but it's always good to know if they are for real or not. I even talked about how there are lots of books called 'fiction' that are 'pretend for real' books and then there are books that are all 'for real.' So this just prove to her that the pretend is okay, but people want to know which is which.

As far as starting school with these stories, just alert the teacher(s) of his bigger than life stories at the beginning of the year so they are aware of it. You can give examples of his stories to give them an idea of his creativity! Also let them know that they can talk to you AT ANY TIME to verify his stories, and that you'll do the same. This let's them know that the lines of communication are open and you're willing to work with them to keep tabs on his stories.

Good Luck
J.

My three year old does the same thing! He made up some story about "our dog" that made the big mess in the kitchen, but we don't have a dog. I've tried to explain to him the difference between truth and lies, but it's not getting through. Sorry it's difficult!

I would put him in time-out (or whatever you use for discipline) every time you hear him tell one of these stories. If you hear that he told someone else the story, I think I would explain to him that "Mrs. So-n-so didn't know you were making up a story. You need to tell her that you made that story up." And take him to the teacher and make sure he tells them.

Let him know that making up stories is fun, but when we try to make believe the story is real, then it's lying. Read him the story of the boy who cried wolf. Explain to him that people will stop believing him if he continues.

As far as his creativity, encourage him to tell you when he's thought of a story. Let him dictate it to you while you write it or type it. Then let him make pictures for it.

Oh, I'm not looking forward to that stage! My neighbor's son just turned 6 and he is a story-teller as well. He tells his mom that my husband and I said that he could do (something at our house) when he hasn't even mensioned it to us. Or he'll just walk in to our house without asking and say that we told him he could, etc. I wonder what/if I should say something to him about it or if it isn't my place??

Anyways...my purpose in telling you this is...he's not the only one who does this! It's just a phase (which may not make it easier in the moment). Sorry I can't really offer much help, I just wanted you to know you aren't alone. Hopefully that comforts you :)

Hi J.,
The only thing I know to tell you to do is take him to a counselor, if they have one at daycare see if she can talk to him, weh he starts school this fall righ when you enroll him let the teachers know about it see if the counselor can talk to him right there.

Also make sure he isn't trying to get attention from his dad. Kids will do this wether it's negitive or positve.

Hope this helps W.

I agree with the others that it is just a phase...I use to not feed my child, I have locked him in the trunk of the car before and drove him around for 30 minutes. My son would take one little tiny thing that was true and turn it around completely. I would just remind him that there are times to tell stories and time when you need to tell the truth. I don't remember how long my son's phase lasted, but it was over rather quickly. Good Luck.

Hi J.,

I would talk to the teacher before he start with the stories so she is ready for whatever he can tell. And of course ask her for help, teachers know how to handle this things very well, we go through several like yours :)
And always ask him why he is saying those things, there has to be a reason why he tries to tell people those stories, may be looking for extra attention or exploring what can someone believe. bOr if what he imagine can be true and happen for real.
Hope it helps!

Mariana Abadie
www.MyKidsFirst.com