No one likes to be told a lie. That said, your son will probably lie to you at some point in your career as a parent. If it's more or less expected, is it a problem? When does lying become an issue that needs to be addressed?

What Is a Lie?

Most teens believe that there is more to life than the truth — and here's the kicker, they don't really think they are lying either. There is some gray area that includes half-truths, fibs, evasion of the facts, and other not-so-honest answers to even the simplest of questions.

This can make your life as a parent very difficult when it comes to figuring out what the truth is and what isn't.

Telling the truth and being honest boils down to trust. To break the trust between you and your son is a slap in the face. The real key is to try to figure out the reason behind the lie. Is he lying to try to stay out of trouble? Is he lying to be able to do something he knows you won't give permission for? Is he lying to make himself seem better or more interesting to someone? Each lie may have a different root problem.

How to Confront a Lie

The first and most important step when addressing lying is to do it immediately. Do not wait to confront your son or the power may be lost. Remain calm and firm. You do not need to tell him how you know he is lying, only that you do. He may try to stand his ground and insist that his story is the correct version, even when you know it is not.

Before jumping straight to the punishment, you should try to talk to your son. If you can figure out why he is lying then perhaps you can better help address the issues that may be behind the lies. Once you are done talking, remind him of the punishment previously agreed upon. Let him know that he will also have to re-earn your trust. One way for him to do this is to be accountable in everything, volunteering information about where he is going and how his schoolwork is progressing.