How Much Is A Lie Worth?

The kids have settled in to school and the schedule is falling into place. The first day outfits have already been washed and folded away. Friendships have been reestablished and new teachers have taken the children under their wings. 

Then comes the big question from your pre-teen. 

"Can I have a Facebook account?"

Now, I am not going to comment about social media and its affect on society and the psychology of young impressionable brains. (Yes, I am on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and FourSquare).

I am talking about a small and often overlooked detail. 

Facebook policy states that you must be 13 years old to have an account. They can't police that really since they (as of the writing of this blog) are not linked with the social security office. But they rely on responsible parents to help them out. 

Let us even say that Facebook is as harmless as Barney or Dora...but the second you tell your 12-year -old to say that he is 13, you have caused permanent damage to your child's education.

As a parent, you are the symbol of what is proper and how one should live. You are the example of sound decision making. And you just said (clearly or subtly) that it is OK not to tell the truth if it is for a good time, if no one is looking or if it is not that big a stretch. 

Last week I went with my wife and kids to the city and planned on going to the top of the Empire State Building. As we approached 34th Street a nice lady was screaming about the Imax show that is on the second floor. If you watch that short video, for only an additional $20 per person, you get to skip all the lines to get up to the Observatory. I stopped to ask for more info and she said that kids ages 5 and under are free. 

Being that we have 4 kids who were getting a bit jumpy, we thought about going the short route.  

The lady asked the kids ages and I told her that we have two kids under five and two over five. 

She said in an undertone (but loud enough that my kids can hear): "if your daughter (the 6-year-old) says that she is five then she can go in for free..."

I finish with this question: How much money is it worth it to save in order to teach your kids that it is OK not to be honest?