5 reasons your child tells you nothing about their life

Is your child hiding something from you or appears disinterested in you most of the time? Well, not telling parents anything about their life could be daunting to parents. Children can be secretive for various reasons, and understanding these can help parents address their needs effectively. Here are some common reasons your child tells you nothing about their life:

Children grow up and demand independence most of the time, despite not being able to do much on their own. This could be a part of exploring themselves as an individual. As children grow, particularly during adolescence, they seek independence and may share less with parents or caregivers as a way to establish their own identity.


Most children don’t like parents to hover around them all the time. They often seek privacy from them to experiment with their likes and dislikes and understand themselves better. Children may desire privacy as they navigate their thoughts and feelings. They might feel that certain thoughts or experiences are personal and prefer to keep them to themselves.

Sometimes children don’t feel too secure to express themselves to you. Children may worry about how their parents or peers will react to their thoughts or actions. They might keep secrets to avoid punishment or disapproval. Peer relationships can influence secrecy. Children might keep secrets to fit in with friends or to protect someone else’s feelings.


Processing emotions and everything it brings with it takes time. Children may not have the language or emotional skills to express complex feelings, leading them to internalize these feelings rather than share them. Parents must wait for them to open up and let them come to you on their own rather than forcing them to spill it all.

Children can often start overthinking and forcing feelings inward if they experience any trauma or stress. Children who have experienced trauma or significant stress may be more secretive as a coping mechanism, trying to protect themselves from further emotional pain. They become quiet and often suffer from low self-esteem.