lying

[jboaksmith]

My 6 year old nephew is very outgoing, talkative, even boisterous, but lately I've caught him lying to other children.  It seems to happen when he's around new kids, but sometimes he'll make up stories to classmates as well.  Usually it's something like, "my grandma is rich", or, "my dad can throw a ball all the way to Alaska" (we live in seattle). When I ask him about it, he say's he's just kidding.  Seems like a self-esteem issue, what should I do to handle this effectively?

[jboaksmith]

Thanks so much Andy!  Just the answer I was hoping to hear!

[netibiza]

I was going to say much the same as andy hughes although not so eloquently.  It's the "my dad's a policeman" thing.  Don't make a fuss but I would ask him if he's only making a joke and that you all know it's not really the truth and then grin at him when you hear him so he knows that you know.