Catching your teen in a lie doesn’t necessarily mean that he has a serious problem. Lying can be a normal part of development when your teen is testing boundaries and seeing how much he can get away with. However, both small fibs and larger tall tales should be dealt with immediately before the lying gets out of hand. Talk with your teen and help him to develop healthy communication skills that can last a lifetime.
Step 1
Model truthfulness. It can be tough for teens to understand why lying is wrong if they witness you doing it, even it is only from time to time. For example, if they see you lying to get out of speaking to a relative on the phone, they will believe that it is perfectly acceptable to do the same.
Step 2
Explain to your son what lying is and why it is wrong. It's better to start this lesson in childhood; however, it can still be beneficial to have a talk when he's a teen. Use books, movies and television shows to show examples of how being dishonest can cause trouble or hurt someone.
Step 3
Reward your teen for telling the truth. Although she may have done something she was not supposed to do, give her a less severe punishment if she was honest with you about the situation. This can reiterate the benefit of telling the truth.
Step 4
Consistently punish lying. Letting your teenager get away with lying at times sends a confusing mixed message. Set a family policy for lying and stick to it.
Step 5
Seek professional help if the lying continues or becomes chronic. Psychologists or family therapists can be helpful in determining the cause of your teen’s behavior and the best way to go about solving the problem.
