What do you do when your child clearly broke something—but insists they didn’t?

In this episode of Tantrum of the Week, Lynn talks about a common parenting moment: a seven-year-old who breaks something and then denies it, even when the evidence is right in front of everyone. Moments like this can feel especially upsetting for parents, because teaching honesty and trust is one of the most important values many families want to pass on to their children.

But when kids lie about mistakes, it doesn’t necessarily mean they don’t know right from wrong.

In this episode, Lynn explains what may actually be happening developmentally for kids in these moments and how parents can respond in ways that build honesty rather than escalating the conflict.

You’ll learn:

• Why children sometimes lie when they know they’re in trouble
• What’s happening in a child’s brain during these moments
• Why arguing about the details often makes things worse
• How to respond calmly without turning it into a power struggle
• Ways to help kids take responsibility and repair mistakes

Parenting moments like this can feel stressful and discour

Thanks for listening to *Tantrum of the Week* with Lynn McLean, LCSW-S, Registered Play Therapist–Supervisor™.

New episodes each week to help parents understand and respond to their child’s biggest feelings with calm, confidence, and connection.

Learn more about play therapy and parent coaching in Houston, Texas: https://www.houstonfamilytherapyassociates.com/

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