How to Respond When Your Teen Lies

To react or not to react when catching your teen in a lie—that is the question. If it’s a pro-social lie, allowing people to save face, let it go. But if your teen is trying to avoid taking responsibility for their actions, parents should aim for consequences (“You did X, therefore, you lost this privilege.”) Try to understand why your teen lied. Was it to avoid punishment? Protect someone? Because they truly didn’t understand right from wrong? Whatever the reason, use discipline (which means, “to guide”) to turn the lie into a teachable moment.

Click here for another 100-word parenting tip.