How to deal with kids that lie?

the first thing i would suggest here is please be subtle and do not scold. lying is a phase that many kids go through, especially when they are moving from one age category to the other, such as toddler, young child, older child, tween, teen and so on. it is a a way for kids to see what all they can get away with and what boundaries they can stretch. i would say talk to the child and explain that you love him or her, but there are certain things that are not right. don't nag about it but make it known that you are aware of what happened.