Here's Liz Atwood with Tween Tuesday:

Sometimes kids are brutally honest, as the Colorado family that reported their son was caught up in a hot air balloon is finding out. Had not 6-year-old Falcon spilled the beans that he was hiding in the house because of a TV show, his parents probably would not be facing criminal charges.

The incident reminded me of the times my own kids have revealed family secrets, some funny and some not so funny. There was the time when my older boy told the teachers we had given him wine to drink. We had not, but had given him sparkling apple cider, which we call “children’s wine.” His teachers, needless to say, were quite surprised. This is the same son who told his best friend that my husband had called the boy a loser when he got especially irritated at their antics. That made for an uncomfortable situation the next time the boy came to visit.

 Sometimes it’s hard to teach children that they should be honest, and at the same time teach them that some truths are better left unspoken. Every family has actions, opinions and statements that are better kept private. But kids don’t always understand that.

How do you explain to your kids the difference between being truthful and being diplomatic? What’s been your child’s most embarrassing moment of truthfulness?

Photo of Falcon Heene by Getty Images.