t is not uncommon for parents to create imaginative stories or fairy tales to entertain and educate their children. However, if parents are inventing stories to deceive their children or manipulate their behavior, it can be harmful to the child’s emotional and cognitive development.
Children are naturally trusting and believe what their parents tell them, so inventing stories that are not true can create confusion and mistrust in the child’s mind. This can damage the parent-child relationship and make it difficult for the child to develop a sense of trust and security with their parents.
Inventing stories to manipulate a child’s behavior can also be harmful, as it can teach the child that lying and deceit are acceptable ways to achieve their goals. This can lead to behavioral problems and difficulties in interpersonal relationships later in life.
If you are a parent who enjoys telling imaginative stories to your children, it is important to make sure that your stories are age-appropriate, non-deceptive, and respectful of your child’s intelligence and curiosity. Additionally, it is important to foster an open and honest relationship with your child, so that they feel comfortable coming to you with any questions or concerns they may have.
© Linda C J Turner
Your Journey to Healing Starts Here 
One reply on “Inventing stories to manipulate a child’s behavior”
[…] Emotional manipulation: The adult may manipulate the child’s emotions by constantly criticizing, belittling, or insulting them. They might use sarcasm, humiliation, or intimidation to undermine the child’s self-esteem and make them more dependent on the adult’s approval. […]
LikeLike