Why is My Child Lying?

Your sweet baby is growing up. They’re hitting each milestone so seamlessly. Now, they’re even able to walk and talk. Their personality is coming through, and you’re so proud of them and the little person they’re turning out to be.

Now that they can talk and speak sentences, you love being able to communicate with them. It’s a lot easier than guessing if they’re hungry or tired.

But your child hasn’t been fully honest with you lately. They’re fibbing or lying about the weirdest things.

They’re saying they brushed their hair or teeth even though their hair is still a tangled mess, and their toothbrush is dry from the night before. And it doesn’t stop there. They’ve lied about playing games when they’re supposed to be sleeping. And they’ve even lied to you about snacking on sweets before dinner.

Why is your child lying to you? Let’s find out!

They Crave Attention.

If your child craves attention, they may lie to you so that you’ll pay more attention and tend to their wants and needs. They will lie in front of others who know the actual truth with the intention that someone will notice the lies being told. This form of lying is known as attention-seeking behavior.

They’re Covering Something Up.

Another common reason a child lies is that they’re trying to avoid being scolded or punished. For example, if they ate a dessert before dinner or doodled with a marker on the walls of your home, they may try to lie or act like they didn’t do it when you ask them about it. Even though you both know what they did, they will try to lie about it to avoid being grounded or talked to.

They’re Testing Their Limits.

Children may also lie to explore their limits with family and friends. They may lie about something just to see what happens. This form of lying is done more out of curiosity or playing instead of trying to cover something up.

They’re Confusing Their Imagination With Real Life.

A lot of children may have a difficult time differentiating their imagination from real life. A lot of people have dreams while they’re sleeping. They wake up from that dream and realize it was only a dream. Children don’t have as easy of a time pinpointing which is a dream versus reality, especially if they have imaginary games or friends they come up with when they’re playing. This form of lying may be confused with the fantasy world they created versus the real world they live in.

They Want to Be Polite.

When you were younger, your parents and primary caregivers probably taught you not to lie. While you were taught not to lie, you may have also been taught not to be fully transparent, especially in social situations. This is how adults can get their children to avoid being blunt and rude. For example, a child may not like an outfit someone is wearing. Instead of lying, they may not fully tell the truth. A common example among children is when they receive a gift they already have or don’t like. Their parents may have taught them to pretend that they like it, say that they like it, and move on.

Next Steps

If your child is lying, it may be less of an issue than you think! There are several reasons that children may lie or choose not to tell the full truth. As a parent, you want your child to be honest. If you suspect your child is lying, it’s important to have a conversation with them about their behavior. If you need a little extra support on this topic, Fox Child and Family Therapy is here for you. Reach out to us today at 913-229-5691 to set up a consultation.