Are you shocked that I would write such a thing about your sweet and innocent baby? Don’t forget that I’m writing about my own sweet and innocent little babies too. But in reality, babies are not that ‘innocent.’
Think about it. Have you ever heard your baby screaming as if the world were coming to an imminent end only to discover that in reality, he just wanted to be held? In fact, babies cry all the time when all they really want is attention or to be held.
Of course, we also have the expression crocodile tears. While younger babies may cry wolf out of their desire for attention, older babies cry crocodile tears. My favorite and most humorous situation is when a toddler falls over and looks up. Then she starts crying based on the reactions of the people around her. (This is by the way, why I never make a peep until I see blood or realDon’t believe me? Add twins to the mix. Time and time again have we watched one twin fall over and actually need to be picked up only to watch the other twin deliberately fall or bump herself and cry those precious crocodile tears in order to get equal billing time from the adult in charge.
No doubt about it, babies lie. But obviously their lying is not morally loaded in the same way that an adult lying would be. In fact, you should be glad that your baby lies–it’s a sign of social maturity and of good development.
I’ve yet to see ‘lying’ as one of the developmental milestones. But the reality is that crocodile tears, crying for attention, or otherwise feigning disaster in order to win the watchful eye and perhaps cuddles from the all important caregiver, is an important step in social development.
The fact of the matter is, when babies do this they are recognizing that they have an effect on the world around them. They clearly see the relationship between their actions and your reactions–and this is a good thing.
Is it a problem? No–not at all. In fact, at this point, you can embrace the ‘lying’ as a part of normal social development. And it doesn’t mean you have to ignore their cries because they ‘don’t really need anything.’ Don’t forget, they’re learning how the world works. You have a long ways to go before you have to start worrying about real lying!