Stories That Rhyme: Should I Tell Mom? ($2.99)
"Should I Tell Mom?" Helping Kids Choose Truth Over Fear Through Stories
Growing up as an 80s kid, I wasn't raised with what we now call gentle parenting. Back then, making a mistake often meant being scolded or disciplined in a way that sparked fear. But with my own children, I’ve chosen to be the exact opposite. I believe that as a parent, I must be intentional and lead by example. I want my boys to know that telling the truth is always the better option, and that their home is a safe place for them to be truthful and brave, even when things go wrong.
Different Challenges, One Core Lesson
Raising my two boys comes with its own unique set of challenges, especially since we are homeschooling by choice. One of my sons is autistic, while my younger son is neurotypical. That is the term they used to refer to kids who are not experiencing the same learning challenges and sensory issues autistic kids are experiencing. Because they experience the world so differently, I have to be flexible in how I parent each of them. However, the core lesson remains the same for both: taking responsibility and being accountable for their actions is a sign of strength, not something to be feared.
Thomas and the Red Ball
This journey of choosing truth over fear is what inspired my newest book, "Should I Tell Mom?". This book is a part of my Stories That Rhyme series. In the story, a young boy named Thomas is so proud of his new bouncy red ball—until it accidentally bounces through the window glass.
Thomas's reaction of fear is valid; it is a completely natural reaction. Broken glass is the perfect metaphor for a mistake—what was once whole is now scattered all over the floor. In the heavy silence after the crash, Thomas faces that moment of fear that every child (and adult!) understands: Should I tell Mom? Through these rhymes, I show children that when they are brave enough to share, that scary fear just melts away. As the story says: "A broken window is easy to fix, with love and kindness in the mix."
Using Stories to Teach Kids to be Truthful
Being truthful is more than just "not lying." Being truthful means that as a family, we are strong enough to handle the truth, no matter how messy it gets. Reading "Should I Tell Mom?" turns a simple story into an opportunity to start these conversations early. It ensures that when real mistakes happen, our kids already know that honesty will always be met with love, acceptance, and kindness.