Why Children Lie and What to Do About It

From the little lie to prevent hurt feelings, to the denial of wrongdoing to avoid punishment, to the silly whopper that seems to serve no particular purpose, nearly everyone lies at one time or another. And, children are no exception. What does it mean when a child tells a lie? Do children lie on purpose -- or do they just not know any better? At what age can they learn the concept and value of honesty? Is lying ever a sign of serious emotional problems? And, what should parents do when they catch their child spinning a tale?   Dr. Marti Erickson and Dr. Erin Erickson, co-hosts and founders of Mom Enough, join together to answer these questions and more in this episode on kids and lying. Tune in to hear about the issues that underly dishonesty in children and teens -- from developmental considerations to contextual factors. And, walk away with practical strategies to prevent lying and promote honesty. In a world where everyone lies sometimes, you won't want to miss this opportunity to create a more honest household.   WHAT STEPS WILL YOU TAKE TO PREVENT LYING?  Are there specific times where you notice you are more likely to lie (for example, when breaking plans or when you don't want to do something)? What could you do to model honesty for your children? How will you teach your children the importance of trust? In what ways could you be more consistent about confronting dishonesty?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT LYING & HONESTY? ❉ WHEN CHILDREN TELL LIES. Check out this helpful tip sheet that outlines what was discussed in this episode.   ❉ HELPING CHILDREN BUILD CHARACTER, FROM TODDLERS TO TEENS. No doubt you’ve heard people praise someone for being a “person of character.” But what does that mean to you? And how does someone become a person of character? Todd Otis joins Marti & Erin for a thoughtful conversation about what parents can do to help children of any age become trustworthy, empathic, respectful, honest, self-aware – embracing all the qualities that define character.