As a general rule, parents do not want their children to lie. Let's take a look at why children lie and how they can be encouraged to tell the truth.

The untruths of preschoolers and those of teenagers are very different.  Are their motivations different too?

• Preschoolers have a great imagination. They create stories and adventures that are make-believe.
• Elementary age kids often tell a fib in order to please their parents or another adult. They tell an untruth because they determine that is what the adult wants to hear. For example, "I got the highest grade in class on my spelling test" - which is not the truth but garners lots of praise.
• Teenagers usually tell an untruth in order to solve a problem. For example, when coming home after curfew, they lie to their parents about the traffic or make some other relatively plausible excuse.

In a perfect world, your aging parents would be healthy and independent until their dying day. In reality, your parents will probably need your support.

Over half of our nation's aging adults who need care are receiving that care at home. Who is providing it?

• Over half that need care receive it in their homes with family and friends providing that care 80 percent of the time.
• About 25 percent of those who need care actually live in the home of the caregiver - usually an adult child.

What changes are inevitable in the life of the adult caregiver?

Let's begin with the youngest students. What are some tips for those little people going off to school for the first time?

• Give the adventure a positive spin.
• Be certain that your child gets adequate rest and a good breakfast to start the day.
• Take time each evening to choose clothes for the next day and to put backpack, etc. near the door so that nothing will be forgotten.
• After a week or two of school, consider going into the classroom to pick up your child when school is over for the day. This will give you an opportunity to see the environment and dialog with your child about his classroom.

What are some specifics that point to this issue?

• Educators are seeing that kids have difficulty when they don't earn the grade that want or when they have to deal with correction.
• Businesses are interviewing college grads who ask who they will be "in charge of." They want the corner office with windows. When they receive instruction perceived as critical, they feel rejected and do not handle it well.