Should we always believe what children tell us?

I think it’s important to take children seriously. On the other hand, some of them tell the most outrageous lies to to their parents.

When I had my daycare, the new girl didn’t want to eat lunch. I didn’t care. I allowed her to excuse her self, take the plate to the sink and go watch TV or whatever.
The next morning the Mom came in, upset, asking why I had refused to feed her child! I told her that I hadn’t, but she was still suspicious.
The next day, same story. This time I stuck her food in a baggie, and handed it to her Mom when she picked her up. It never came up again. And since the child wasn’t getting any kid of reaction from me she did start eating.

Another time. Same kid. Mom called after she picked her up one day and told me that one of the other kids, a boy, had exposed himself to her at nap time. I was concerned, but also puzzled. I’d had that particular boy for a couple of years, and had never encountered any behavior like that from him. Plus there were 4 other kids in that room. They would have told me.
I thought for a second then had a flash of insight. I said, “What color did she say his penis was?”
With confidence Mom said, “She said it was pink.”
I didn’t say anything more, but I wanted to say, “Lady, you have a kid. Human penises are not pink. Not even baby penises are pink.”
She pulled her out not long after that and I was relieved. That child and her stories could have gotten me in a lot of trouble.

Another time substitute teaching in a 5th grade classroom. A kid was getting ready to throw a wadded up piece of paper into the trash can, in the middle of a lesson.
I paused, then said, “Mikey. I’ll make you a deal. Take the shot. If you make it we will clap. If you miss it, you stay in at recess and help me straighten the room! It’s your choice.”
He hesitated….then took the shot. And missed.
I got a call from his Grandfather soon after school. The kid had told him that I had made him mop the classroom floor on his hands and knees!
I said, “Um. No. Those are old, old oak floors, and I don’t think the janitors would have appreciated them getting wet!” I told him what had actually transpired.
The grandfather said, “Yeah. I thought that sounded strange. Well thank you!”
I can’t help but wonder if his parents would have reacted so intelligently.