Episode 5: When Your Kid Lies, What’s Really Going On?
Lying isn’t just a behavior problem. It’s a heart signal.When our kids lie, it can stir up fear, frustration, and doubt. But beneath every fib is a deeper story—usually one about fear, shame, or self-protection. In this episode, we look…
Lying isn’t just a behavior problem. It’s a heart signal.
When our kids lie, it can stir up fear, frustration, and doubt. But beneath every fib is a deeper story—usually one about fear, shame, or self-protection. In this episode, we look at how to respond with curiosity instead of control, and how to build trust that makes truth feel safe again.
from this episode:
“Truth grows best in soil made soft by safety.”
Mentioned in the Episode:
Developmental Psychology & Lying
→ Younger children blur fantasy and reality; older kids lie to preserve image or avoid shame.
Luke 19:1–10 – Zacchaeus the tax collector
→ Jesus responds to a dishonest man not with shame, but with presence and restoration.
Reframing Lies as Signals
→ What’s the child afraid of losing? What truth are they trying to protect?
Scriptural Wisdom on Truth & Grace
→ Jesus is “full of grace and truth”—never one without the other.
Parental Self-Reflection
→ Do our reactions make honesty feel harder? What kind of culture are we creating?
Resources:
- Download the Reflection Guide for Episode 5 (PDF) → Includes prompts for examining your own posture, creating safety for truth, and spiritual reflection
- Visit the Parent Forward Podcast Homepage
Explore Related Episodes:
- Episode 2: Presence Over Perfection
- Episode 3: Raising Spiritually Resilient Kids in an Age of Questions
Let’s Stay Connected:
- Instagram: @parentforwardpodcast
- Website: www.parentforward.com
Support the Podcast:
If today’s episode helped soften your heart or shift your posture, would you subscribe, leave a review, or share it with a friend? Your support helps bring these gentle conversations to other parents walking the same road.
