"All teenagers lie"?

[NoNoNoNo]

So is it true? Do even "the best" teenagers with great relationships with their parents tel lies as part of their way of finding independence, and establishing their own identities in the world?

A few years back I would have said that was nonsense, but I'm less sure lately. My eldest tells substantially the truth (I think), but I know he dilutes it now and then. My younger ones are possibly too young to lie yet.

What do you think? Do your teenagers lie about the little details? can we believe them, and in what circumstances?

My eldest lies all the time and believes his lies. My 2nd child is 19 and he doesn't lie but will just avoid telling me things he doesn't want me to know. My daughter who is 15 has lied and been caught out. She covers for her friend who lies all the time to her Mum who isn't aware of her lies. She does some fantastic acting to go with it does this friend, and it is my daughter who told me the truth of a certain matter. I had to tell her Mum. The story and the acting was amazing, would have gained an oscar. This friend has also told my daughter to say she was sleeping at her house when in fact they were going to stay somewhere else. My daughter told me because it seems she struggles to keep a lie up. She doesn't lie well but some are experts.

I don't often lie to my parents, but it's mostly because I don't really do anything worth lying about. I would probably lie if the need arose and I lie by omission on occasion, but I can't really think of anything particular I've lied about. I tell them where I'm really going, and what I'm really going to do.

It's not a case of all teenagers lying, it's a case of it being human nature to lie. Teenagers probably do it more, because they usually have more reasons to.

twopeople that's a really interesting perspective.

My teenager lies sometimes- about stupid stuff often.

I only bollock her if it's important though- we all turn into PR agents for ourselves with our parents to a certain degree, even as adults.

I've noticed many people go on about how they did it too when they were younger but most seem to not want their own children to do any of these things. Reading through the thread 'things you got away with as a child' it's pretty clear that you've done it all before so why stop your children from having the same opportunities? You survived it after all.

Probably the wrong place to put this but oh well.

course they do!
nutt

oh yes, lying by omission is high too.

I think I'm relieved that my teens aren't entirely honest! We've rarely had BIG lies (mostly DS1 at his worst teen stage, and he always got caught) but little lies of omission are just natural I think..

I don't NEED to know just how drunk my DD got after A level results day.....

And after the thread on Chat about what we all got up to, I REALLY don't want to know...!:)

I try not to push DCs into a position where they feel the need to lie.

I had an awkward relationship with my parents so have always tried to keep things honest. 'DS, did you brush your teeth? By the way your toothbrush was bone dry so if you did you didnt use water'.

I try not to catch DCs out. It isnt fair.