Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Stages

How to deal with a lying child

By

Raising a child can be a difficult task. There is a lot to teach them, so it can be helpful to gather as many tips and techniques as you possibly can. One way is to research methods to reduce bad behavior and improve good behavior. No matter how much research you do, however, you can only do the best you can.

One bad habit of children is lying, which must be stopped as quickly as possible because it sets a bad precedent. Luckily, there are some great tips and methods for dealing with a lying child that will help get them on the path to truth and honesty.

child lying
fizkes/Shutterstock

Why do children lie?

Children lie for a variety of reasons. It is usually to cover up something bad they did, make a story more exciting, get attention, or avoid hurting someone’s feelings. Children are never malicious, but intentional lying should be corrected in order for them to live an honest and trustworthy life.

Recommended Videos

When do children typically start lying?

It’s helpful to know when the average child starts spewing fibs so you can keep an eye out for them. Children can start telling lies as early as 3 years old. This is around the age when children become aware that you can’t read their minds so they can get away with a few mistruths. Around the ages of 4 to 6 is typically when children start lying more frequently. They may learn to hide facial expressions that give away their lies, making them a bit more tricky to catch.

child lying
George Rudy / Shutterstock

How to address lying

Encouraging kids to tell the truth, no matter what age, is important so they will grow up to become kind, honest, and respectful people.

Related

Some helpful tips and methods to address lying include:

  • Have conversations about the topic. The more you talk about lying and the negative impacts of it, the more your child will understand it’s something to avoid. By talking about it in a casual setting, you let your child understand why it’s wrong without shaming them. Keep these conversations fun and make telling the truth sound cool — because it is!
  • Help your child avoid lying situations. You can’t always protect your child from lying, but you can be vigilant about it at home. If your child makes a mess with paint during craft time, instead of asking them if they made the mess, announce that you see the mess and suggest that the two of you clean it up together. This allows your child to avoid a situation where they might get defensive and feel the need to lie.
  • Praise your child for telling the truth. Positive reinforcement is one of the best ways to encourage your child to practice honesty. Whenever your child owns up to a situation or tells the truth, you should praise them and recognize their honesty. You can treat them to something like a cookie or ice cream for being so good. This will only encourage them more and more to be honest each and every day.
  • Be a good role model. Your children look up to you, so it is important to be a good role model for them. If you show them that you practice honesty, then they will follow your example.
  • Make your child feel safe during confessions. If your child feels like they are going to be yelled at or reprimanded for telling the truth, they will be encouraged to lie. It is important to reassure your little one that they can tell you anything, no matter how bad. Always let your child know that you are on their side, regardless of what they have done. This doesn’t mean you can’t punish or discipline them, but they should feel like you understand them and appreciate their honesty.

Raising kids is a tough job. One important life lesson every child needs to learn is the importance of honesty. Children learn to lie at a young age, so it’s important to encourage honesty and trustworthiness while they’re still toddlers. Luckily, there are some great tips and methods that will help you be proud of your little one as they practice telling the truth.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
NewFolks
NewFolks
Why do toddlers hit themselves? The reasons may surprise you
Toddlers hitting themselves is on the list of strange behaviors a parent needs to know about
A little upset boy pulling at his hair

Kids often exhibit behavior that many parents can't understand. Toddlers especially know how to bring a bit of pizazz to the day. Their behavior can often be silly and spontaneous, but it can also be worrying. It's a jarring experience for any parent the first time their sweet baby reaches up and hits them. It's even more confusing for parents to see their toddler turn their anger inward and hit themself in the head or on their body. Why toddlers hit themselves can be something every parent struggles with.

Children who have never been physically disciplined may still hit themselves, scratch themselves, or pound their heads against walls or the floor when they're frustrated. Why do toddlers do this? Do they grow out of it? What do parents do to stop it? And when do you know whether you might need to seek professional guidance for your child? Let's dig into this part of toddlerdom most parents will have to deal with.
Why do toddlers hit themselves?

Read more
When do babies sleep through the night (and what the answer means for your child)?
This is the first question new parents want to know
A mother watching her baby sleep in their crib.

Every parent of a newborn has the same question after their first night with their precious new bundle of joy. When do babies sleep through the night? All it takes is those first sleepless 24 hours to wonder if you are ever going to sleep again. After a few days, you don't even remember when the last time you slept more than a few hours in one stretch was. We get it. Here's when babies sleep through the night, so you know when you will be done stumbling around in a zombie-like sleepless fog.
A baby's sleep schedule
Every baby is different, so if your babe isn't getting the exact amount of sleep by a certain age, it's not something to worry about. But there is a little guide to refer to.

Newborns up to 2 months old
Newborns do spend a decent amount of time sleeping. Unfortunately for the parents, it's not all at night. While babies less than 2 months old snooze up to 18 hours a day, with up to 10 of those hours being prime nighttime sleep hours, it isn't all at once.

Read more
These weight loss tips for teenagers really work and are good for their self-esteem
How to encourage a healthy lifestyle for your teen
Teenage girl jogging

Parents want nothing more for their kids than for them to be healthy and happy. When a teen is struggling with their weight, they can often feel unhealthy and suffer from mood swings and depression. Unfortunately, many teens assume their weight is their own problem to deal with alone. Teens often don't understand that weight fluctuations are a very normal part of growing up, and as long as they're healthy, they shouldn't stress over it. 

If your teen has expressed concern about their weight or general health, you can support them by incorporating lifestyle changes as a family. If you're struggling with how to help your teenager lose weight in a supportive and non-judgemental way, here are some weight loss plans for teenagers to help get their energy up and their fitness back on track.
What not to do

Read more