The ten numbered prompts offer parents and carers a clear way to respond when a child has not told the truth, from staying calm before knowing the full story to noticing and acknowledging honesty. Each point pairs a reaction to avoid with a practical alternative phrase or response.
Calmer, more constructive conversations after a child lies are the outcome supported by this parenting infographic. It helps adults move away from reactions that can make children hide the truth, such as shouting, labelling a child a liar, shaming them or repeatedly firing questions at them.
Ten colour-coded sections explain common unhelpful responses and give a short “instead” prompt. Parents can use phrases such as, “Tell me what really happened”, “What made it hard to tell me?” and “Thank you for telling me. I know that was hard.” The content also encourages private, calm discussion rather than public embarrassment.
Useful for parents, foster carers, kinship carers and family support workers working with primary-aged children or teenagers, the poster can be printed for a kitchen noticeboard, parenting session or one-to-one family work. It offers simple conversation starters for incidents involving broken rules, missing treats, damaged belongings, school problems or attempts to avoid trouble.
The guidance distinguishes between pretend stories, exaggeration, avoiding consequences and hiding something serious, rather than treating every lie alike. It also includes repair-focused ideas, such as returning an item, replacing it, apologising or correcting what was said, helping children take responsibility alongside learning to be more honest.
