Part 1: The boy who cried wolf, but this time it’s a girl.

Unlocking trust and navigating tough conversations with our kids. Discover the emotions and reflections behind parenting challenges. 🌱 Read more in our latest newsletter.

Author

Michelle Lim
December 11, 2023

Hello MindFull Readers,

How would you react if you found out someone lied to you?

This year, we've encountered a challenging developmental phase with Big A, our 8-year-old daughter. Dealing with constant lies and attempts to conceal seemingly trivial things like sneaking sweets from the cupboards became a regular occurrence. Even when caught red-handed, denial persisted despite crystal-clear evidence.

Approaching this issue, my husband and I engaged in numerous patient, calm discussions with Big A, yet it seemed like our efforts weren't breaking through to prompt a change in her behavior.

Photo by Foad Roshan on Unsplash

This triggered some feelings and thoughts within me.

My Feelings:

  1. Disappointment

  2. Sadness

  3. Frustration

  4. Fear

My Thoughts:

  1. Am I too strict with her?

  2. Did I not allow enough treats, leading her to 'steal' sweet treats?

  3. Is she afraid of me?

  4. Have I not communicated clearly enough about what went wrong and how we can improve?

Reflecting on these thoughts, I delved into a substantial amount of self-reflection and self-coaching to draw certain conclusions on how to handle the lying phase moving forward.

Why the self-reflection? Simply put, my own childhood experiences shaped how I approached parenting. However, I soon realized that my parenting style differs significantly from that of my parents.

How do I help Big A form better habits, and what kind of support can I provide her in this area?

What Happened Next? Tears, Yelling, Anger, and a Long Talk…

I'll delve into this heavy topic in the next newsletter. If you have burning questions or simply need someone to talk to after a challenging week, click here to book a free 30-minute call.

Until next week, dear readers, keep navigating these complexities with compassion.

With warmth and mindfulness,

Michelle Lim | Founder of The MindFull Parent | Reparenting Life Coach

Michelle Lim | Mother of 3 | Multi-Coach | Author | Preschool Educator | Babywearing Specialist | Breastfeeding Mentor

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