This weeks topic is teens and lying. As parents, we all want to develop a deep sense of trust and communication with our children, but sometimes we struggle with issues of trust, especially when it comes to our daughters. One of the main reasons for this is lying. It can be difficult to understand why a teenager would lie, but it's important to explore the reasons behind it so that we can respond appropriately.

One of the most common reasons teenagers lie is to avoid trouble or consequences. They may omit the truth because they know they will be punished or get in trouble. They may also lie to do something they're not allowed to do, believing that their parents' rules are unfair or unjust. Teenagers may also lie to protect someone else's feelings, to maintain privacy, or to establish independence and autonomy.

As a parent, it's important to understand why your daughter may be lying and to respond appropriately to promote an environment where she feels safe to tell the truth. One common mistake parents make is reacting emotionally when their teen tells them something. It's important to have a neutral reaction and regulate your own emotions so that your teen feels safe coming to you. This means being a grounding presence that helps them process their emotions and make decisions.

Another mistake is taking things away as punishment. This creates a power struggle and teaches children to make decisions based on what they will gain or lose, rather than what is right or wrong. Instead, it's better to allow natural consequences and to have a conversation with your teen to help them understand the impact of their actions and how they can make better choices in the future.

It's also important to avoid lecturing your teen. This is not an effective way to promote honesty and trust. Instead, have a conversation with your daughter, help her process what happened, and guide her towards making better choices in the future. Remember, risk-taking behavior is normal for teens and it's important to support them through this time in their lives.

We should also note that sometimes, a child's lying behavior may be related to underlying issues such as trauma or neurodivergence. In such cases, it's important to seek professional help and work with a therapist or counselor to address these issues.

It's important to remember that creating a safe and open environment for communication takes time and effort. It requires patience, empathy, and understanding. It's also important to recognize that every child is different, and what works for one might not work for another. However, by implementing these strategies, you can help promote honesty and trust in your relationship with your teenager.

Understanding why teenagers lie and responding appropriately is crucial in developing a trusting relationship with your daughter. By regulating your own emotions, allowing natural consequences, and having open conversations, you can create an environment where your daughter feels safe to tell the truth. It takes time and effort, but the rewards of a strong, trusting relationship with your teenager are immeasurable. If you're struggling with trust and communication with your teen, consider seeking support like my motherhood mentorship and group programs. Remember to stay patient and empathetic with your teen as you work together towards building a strong, honest relationship.

Some Action Items to Work on from this Episode:

• Understand why teens lie
• Shift how we see certain things or how we do certain things in our home to create an environment where daughters feel safe to tell their truth
• Take a pause before reacting emotionally to what daughters tell us
• Use natural consequences instead of taking things away
• Focus on connection over correction
• Help daughters process their mistakes and draw their own conclusions
• Avoid lecturing daughters when they make mistakes
• Remind daughters to slow down and process to make better decisions