INDIANA – It can be so difficult to understand why teenagers – or children of any age – lie to us. Sometimes the lies feel especially frustrating because they seem so small or unnecessary, leaving us wondering why they couldn’t have been honest in the first place.

Why do children lie – and how should we respond when they do? Most kids experiment with lying at some point, whether to fit in, avoid trouble, or even protect someone else. Because lying is a common part of childhood development, parents need to understand why it happens and how to address it in a calm, effective way.

The most important thing to remember in these moments is to stay calm. Being lied to can naturally trigger anger, making it harder to keep our composure. But maintaining calm helps strengthen future parent–child

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