Three Ways to Keep Teens Honest

Honest teens have parents who guide them toward truthfulness. There are three things every parent can do to increase the likelihood that their teen remains truthful with them. First, support their independence. Overprotection can lead to lying, so help them explore and push against boundaries in a healthy way. Next, create flexible rules with reasonable consequences. Teens sometimes lie to avoid being punished, so discipline (which means teach!) instead of penalize. Lastly, remain calm and skip the lecture. Turn mistakes into a time for a conversation instead of a monologue. You’ll learn more that way, which strengthens the relationship.

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