I hugged him, told him I loved him but that he still needed the time out because he broke the rules. I told him I was very proud that he told the truth and that I knew it was hard to do. He stayed in time out for about two and a half minutes. I feel a little frustrated. I also have concerns because my son is the product of a former marriage to a man with severe emotional problems.
Any help is appreciated.
Not only did he tell you the truth, but his actions were relegated to his own property. Be careful that you do not project your ex-spouse's emotional problems onto your son. Seeing him through a lens of anxiety could distort your ability to respond to his needs. Most children do experiment with lying at some point and 4 years old is a common age for this kind of behavior. Children are becoming aware of the world they live in and their ability to manipulate it.