What Fresh Hell: Laughing In The Face Of Motherhood

Margaret and Amy discuss the surprisingly normal reasons kids lie—and why it’s not always a sign of bad behavior. From toddlers covered in cake who swear they didn’t eat it, to teens who “forget” to mention that party in the woods, we unpack how lying is often a developmental milestone, not a moral failure. We discuss: When kids first start lying—and what brain developments make it possible The role of theory of mind and executive function in fibbing How to tell the difference between a harmless whopper and something more concerning Why habitual lying could point to deeper issues—and how to address them without shame The importance of “truth checks,” “consequence resets,” and staying on the same side of the net as your kid Here are links to some of the resources mentioned in the episode: Jennifer Soong for WebMD: 8 Mistakes Parents Make With Preschoolers Beth Arky for childmind.org: Why Kids Lie and What Parents Can Do About It Harold S. Koplewicz, MD for childmind.org: When should