Parents tend to force children to be honest or punish them when they aren't. But how correct is this? In fact, this might just be what's pushing them towards the 'lie-line'.

When your child lies, your first reaction is, "How could you lie? If you lie, then who will believe you? Lying is a very bad thing!"

Instead, try asking yourself, "Why did my child feel the need to lie?" or "Where did he learn to lie?"

Every Child Lies

Lying starts off as cute little pranks. Most toddlers and preschoolers have active imaginations, and spin fancy stories. Toddlers are learning to differentiate between real and make-believe objects all the time and have a hard time distinguishing their dreams from reality.

Sometimes your child's fantasy stories may actually be wishful thinking. It may be the desire for a new toy or game. Sometimes, it is more of a need to speak and convey their vivid imaginations. Children keep talking about how they met Pokémon or how they played with Popeye. These aren't lies, but in fact, their way of building their vocabulary.

Why Lie?

The reasons for lying are varied but some of the common reasons are;

• To Avoid Punishment

The more a child lies to avoid punishment, the more suspicious I am that she is probably punished badly, either physically, emotionally or both.

Frequent lying, is most often about parental domination and pressure.

For example, a child may be terrified of harsh treatment for scoring low on a test or not completing a school assignment. So he may lie as a way to solve the problem or avoid punishment.

• Need for Attention

Children make fancy stories and lie to their friends, if they lack self-confidence and proper social skills. The need to gain approval from their peers also makes them do so.

If you are aware that your child is telling tales, probe the issue gently or seek professional counselling, if necessary.

• Building a Separate Identity

Teens often feel the need to have separate identities from their parents. They want their privacy. If you push too hard for information, she may respond by lying. Kids this age are also able to lie convincingly.

They mask their facial expressions and body language and come up with plausible stories. Though every child fibs occasionally, keep in mind that habitual lying can stem from too-tough parenting. So ask yourself whether you are creating an environment, in which your child feels safe telling you the truth.