how do I deal with little lies in 2.7 year old?

[Mung]

DS has started to tell very basic lies. I thought this came much later to be honest, but it seems that he is having a go at it now to see how it is . Anyway, when I ask him if he has washed his hands after going to the toilet he will say 'yes', despite not having done it. Today I rephrased it and said, 'right, now lets go and wash your hands' and he replied, 'I've washed hands already'.

DH thinks we need to deal with the lies, although I feel that he is not totally sure of what he is doing and that we should just focus on the hand washing. I admit though, that I am worried that if we let him get away with lying then he will just get worse.

What do you think? If you deal with the lies then what language do you use to make a toddler understand what they are doing?

I agree just focus on the hand washing
one thing you could try to give him a chance to back down is "ahh I think you are tricking mummy"

I suggested that...make light of it a little, although DH wants to be more tough.

I can see why...but in the long term I don't think you will get far with a 2 year old

I think don't allow the lies to lead to him getting his own way about important things (ie if you insist on handwashing, then make sure it is done anyway)
but remember that lying can be a way of trying to control a situation where you feel unfairly powerless

and wait to discuss the morality of it until child is 3 or 4

Honestly he is is little. I would save your anger for more serious lying when he is a lot older.

He might not understand hand washing. Its nothing wrong that he still needs a bit of supervison when going to the toilet.

I think it's a phase. Both my DDs did it about that age or later. I think it's a sign of intelligence

I think you can take it lightly, but let them know you know they are not telling the truth.

p.s on handwashing issue when I was a nanny I used to get the children to let me sniff their hands for soap after handwashing

they found it quite funny (we made a game of it) and if I didn't do it, even age 6 or 7 they would fib and miss it out sometimes

we do handsniffing!

DD has started to tell little fibs, mostly that her brother has hit her . i just brush it aside and distract

I know from touching them as they are never dry when he does it himself. I may try handsniffing though.
I do think that is a good tactic Lulu...I think I will go for that option.