Kids lie when they feel like they can’t be honest. Have you created a safe home environment that allows honesty, or does your daughter lie to protect herself from your freak out? 

Shift your parenting away from setting your girl up to lie. Rather than asking “Is your room clean?”, state “I noticed your room needs a good cleaning before we play this weekend.” Similarly, refrain from asking her why she lied. While it can feel constructive to you as a parent, to your daughter it could feel like an invitation to justify lying.  

Scripture reminds us time and again that honesty is cherished in the eyes of God, and a loving environment is the most important element in a culture of honesty. 

Listen to the Raising Godly Girls Minute with Patti Garibay: