Parenting Through Connection with Megan

Episode 27: When Kids Lie and How to Navigate it

Megan

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0:00 | 17:07

When your child lies, it can feel personal and deeply triggering. But lying isn’t a sign that something is wrong, it’s actually a very normal, developmental part of growing up. Today on Parenting Through Connection, I walk you through what’s really happening when your child lies, why it can feel so overwhelming, and how you can respond in a way that builds connection instead of breaking it. Even in these moments, there are opportunities to strengthen trust and guide your child towards honesty in a way that actually lasts.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

  • Why lying is a normal part of child development and how it supports skills like empathy, self-awareness, and emotional regulation
  • What gets triggered in us as parents when our kids lie, including fears about the future and our own past experiences with trust and deception
  • Why kids lie and the reasons parents don’t immediately see
  • How certain responses can unintentionally turn lying into a protective habit instead of a passing phase
  • The importance of fostering honesty through support, rather than defaulting to accusation and fear

If this is something you’re navigating right now, I want you to know this doesn’t define your child and it doesn’t define you as a parent. Honesty is a skill that takes time, practice, and a lot of support to grow. When we shift how we respond, we can completely change the trajectory of these moments.

If you’re ready to feel more confident handling situations like this, I’d love to invite you into my Rooted in the Middle parenting program.

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Rooted in the Middle program: https://www.parentingthroughconnection.ca/rooted-in-the-middle

1:1 Coaching: https://www.parentingthroughconnection.ca/coaching