Do we really need to tell these little white lies?

[DaisyB]

?????

[caroljoyce]

So bvy the same token Mo, when one of your grandchildren bring you a picture they've painted, do you tell them that it's just a load of scribble, or do say 'oh that's beautiful darling'

Well yes, that would be a white lie wouldn't it?

[mo]

Still let's be honest. This has been an interesting subject that has given lot's of postings.

[Rowan]

Its always interesting to see what others think

[toolip2]

This topic is perfectly sensible, interesting and challenging. We need to be able to air our views in relative comfort of not being shot down in flames. It would not be an interesting forum if we all have the same views and post on eggshells which it seems one has to from time to time. Like many forums, I suspect.

[mo]

Good posting Tulip and we are all entitled to our views, though some think they are always right.
I can see where folk are coming from with the answers to this topic. I can't say I agree but it is their view.

So bvy the same token Mo, when one of your grandchildren bring you a picture they've painted, do you tell them that it's just a load of scribble, or do say 'oh that's beautiful darling'

If I think it is, then I say it is June.
But I don't belive in telling white lies and saying "That's clever." to every bit of drawing and and painting that my children or grandchildren have done if I know they can do better. isn't encouraging them to do better. That isn't the right way to teach a child.
If I find each time they present me with a lot of scribble and I compliment them, then they think that is the correct way to draw.
What is more encouraging is how my Dad taught me by saying. "That's good but I'm sure you can do better."

[toolip2]

I draw and paint in watercolour and our 10 year old GD loves this too and draws and paints and is good. I have been helping nher since she started school and have taught her about perspective. She started looking at roofs of neighbour's houses and noted how they appeared and tried hard to get it right. Its not easy for an adult let alone a child but she is getting better and creating some good stuff.

I feel that children should be encouraged with kindness and tact.Our six year old GS loves to draw and did a tree recently how he thought it should be done. He said "Look nanny", and I said good try James and told him how to do leaves and tree trunks but praised him for his efforts. he was happy.

To say thats good to a child but you could do better is not enough and it should be followed up with a bit of tuition (if its possible for the one who is administering the comment). Such a comment should not be made and just left at that as a young child may become discouraged and give up. They need to be shown how to do better, IMO

[mo]

I agree Toolip and did and do sit with my grandchildren as like you I also paint.
My dear old Dad taught Dorrie and I to paint and wouldn't say it was good if it wasn't but he had patience and sat helping us to draw and paint.

Your ten year old sounds like she's doing really well with all of your patience.

[Vince]

My Mum said there was a santa and fairies at the bottom of the garden and she was never wrong.

[Rowan]

I STILL beieve in fairies

[toolip2]

I remember fairy rings in the forest when I wqas a child. Little toadstools ina small ring. Love that little tale, even now

[Victors Mate]

I believe if you are, as I am, a romantic person the magic changes but it never goes away. Without the magic all you left with is possessions. How soulless is that?

[Anya]

Of course there is magic. Children have vivid imaginations and love all sorts of 'magic' fables and stories. They can also accept, from a very early age, whether a story is 'magic', or 'real'.

My little grandsons love a game where we start a story and each person adds a bit, the stories often become complex and esoteric. Sometime they bring out the same story again, months afterwards, remembering every detail.

They also talk about events at school, or with their friends and they always start - this is a real story -

[ciderman_nz]

I don't think many children accept a reality of Santa Claus et al, but they enter into it and use their imaginations, sometimes I feel, to homour us adults.

[Jann]

Well I'll tell you something that really happened to me.....I actually heard sleigh bells when the sleigh was flying over our house on Christmas night,truly I did,I must have been about eight!!