- Because the sentence against an evil deed is not executed speedily, the heart of the children of man is fully set to do evil. -
Did you know that children with higher IQ’s lie when younger?
I’m always amazed at the idea that children are inherently good. I’ve met plenty of infants, and none of them to me were remotely innocent.
If anything, they were present. They didn’t have a concept of the future, an idea of someone else, or even an expression of gratitude for those taking care of them.
Better than innocent, though I prefer present, is selfish. Sure, that may be a bit unfair given their helpless state, but I think it is a lot more accurate than innocent.
Simply take their behaviors and have an adult act them out. Right, we even have a word for this – infantile.
Children come out of the womb with a singular focus; what is my most important need right now? They have limited ways in which to meet and communicate their needs.
They have no consideration for the time of day, how tired you are, or how much their form of communication may distress you.
They simply need and they make that known by crying. By analyzing their facial expressions, doctors have discovered they are angry more often than sad.
Next time you hear an infant crying, imagine a grown man in the next room saying, “Mom! Where is my dinner! Why is it taking so long! Do you even love me!”
It’s by far a more accurate representation about what that baby is truly feeling.
Okay, why am I stressing this point? Regardless if the nuance I’m pointing out is true, it doesn’t change how parents must treat their children.
The baby’s needs are more important than our own. It is right to meet their every whim. They have no way to feed, wash, or care for themselves.
But! One of the most crucial needs children have is to become independent, and the standard emphasis on innocence hides or at least fogs this truth.
Here’s a good question: when is the proper time to allow your child to begin to develop its independence?
The answer is as soon as they are capable. Every child is different and will be able to take on different tasks at different times in their development.
You need to watch your children like a hawk, seeing when they are ready for a bit more responsibility. It may take a few years, but you don’t want to miss it.
What does this have to do with our original point? Why do the smarter kids lie?
Because being an infant means technically only seeing yourself. It means not recognizing others and thinking they’ve been placed on earth to satisfy your desires.
That may be forgivable, but it doesn’t mean you don’t have a lot to learn. Before you can start to make a difference in other people’s lives, you must learn to care of yourself.
That begins with small tasks like cleaning your room, feeding yourself, and becoming potty trained.
If your parents love you, they teach you these tasks early, showing you the freedom that comes with a little responsibility.
Lying is an attempt to reenter this childhood state. It is to change reality into something that benefits your immediate need at the sake of others accurate perceptions.
Smart kids see this. They want to be the infant because it’s easier, both in action and emotions. It’s always easier to blame than it is to act.
Keep your child’s nature from infantilizing them.
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