WWYD?

[TheGhostsOfMeAndYou]

My daughter (11) started secondary school in September. She went to a school that's out of our town for various reasons so didn't know any other children going.

Since the various lockdowns she has suffered anxiety and become really self conscious and shy. She struggles with friendships and emotions.

She has become friends with a couple of girls in her form. Then she told me yesterday that she told them she had a twin brother who goes to a different school.

She said she's worried now as she doesn't know how to back track on it and tell the truth. She said she only said it because the were all talking about their siblings and she's an only child and didn't want to make herself seem different.

I don't know how to advise her. Short of telling her to just own up and admit that she lied, which is filling her with dread.

Myself and her dad have always stressed to her how important it is to not lie and to always tell the truth. This situation kind of proves our point.

I'm just looking for any help or advice that I could give her.

Deep breath. Your daughter has learned why it's best not to do this. For now, get her to gradually build the relationship with these girls. If they ask about her brother, she can say "you know what, I made that up because I wanted to be more like you too. Can we forget I said that please?" and carry on with the conversation.

That’s tricky. I think she should try and turn it into a joke and laugh at herself rather than the girls ‘in a what am I like, so sorry, I didn’t think anyone would believe it, I thought it was funny but obviously it’s not’ way, which might be difficult for a shy child.
At 11 children do and accept daft things still. I don’t think it’s likely to be the big social faux pas that’s she probably building it up to be in her head.
How much detail did she give about the imaginary brother?