When we ask ourselves, Why does my child lie to me? We must take a look at our behaviors and reasons for why WE, the parent, lie in certain situations. In this Q&A, I answer this question, Why Do Children Lie. Share your thoughts with me below! | Dr. Shefali

If I caught your child lying, I wouldn’t jump to consequences. I’d look at why honesty didn’t feel safe in that moment. Decades of developmental research show that children lie most often to protect connection, not to deceive. Dr. Ross Thompson and Dr. Dan Siegel both explain that when kids fear disappointment, emotional withdrawal, or big reactions, their nervous system chooses self protection over truth. That means lying is often a signal, not a character flaw. Here’s the hard part most advice