Dearest Children

Dearest children,

If I ask you if you've brushed your teeth, don't tell me "yes" when a simple glance in your mouth will let me know that you did not, in fact, brush your teeth. When I ask you if you've emptied the litter box, don't tell me "yes" when a simple glance into the box will let me know that you did not, in fact, empty the litter box. Same with whether you've flushed the toilet (I can lift the lid and look), washed your hands (I can see the dirt still on your hands and/or I can tell your hands haven't been wet and I'm not smelling any soap smell...), or hung up your backpack/coat properly, or put away your shoes (I see it all still laying on the floor).

I don't get the constant need to lie over trivial things. Why not just brush your teeth? In the time you spent in the bathroom PRETENDING to brush your teeth, you could have just actually been doing it. Same with the other examples. Then add in the time-out factor WHEN you get caught, and you see that your lie gained you NOTHING, saved you ZERO amount of time, and only served to anger me and cause me not to trust you.

I don't enjoy giving time-outs and other fitting punishments. I don't enjoy the time spent "lecturing". I don't enjoy your DRAMA after you've been caught in a lie. So do me a favor and either get better at lying, or better yet, just do the things I ask you to do! I ask you to do these things to keep your body healthy and safe, to teach you how to take care of yourself and your things, and to teach you some responsibilities within your family and your home. Are those really such bad things?

Sincerely,
Your loving mother who just wants you to tell the truth and do as you're told for goodness sakes