Parenting can be a profound journey filled with moments of joy, growth, and challenges.
For this reason, when it comes to parenting the power of words cannot be overemphasized.
Words could inspire, build or tear down children. Therefore it is important for parent to choose their words wisely and avoid saying things that can hurt or play on their children self esteem.
The words spoken by parents hold immense power and shape the self-esteem, confidence, and emotional well-being of their children.
However, there are certain phrases and remarks that should never find their way into a parent-child dialogue.
In this blog post we’ll be exploring the impact of certain statements and how why these phrases can cause some sort of emotional damage to a child.
Things Parents Should Never Say to Their Kids
1. “You’re Such a Disappointment”
Uttering these words can inflict deep wounds on a child’s self-esteem and sense of worth.
Focusing on the behavior and labeling the child as a disappointment can breed feelings of inadequacy and resentment thus, hindering their ability to learn and grow from their mistakes.
Rather than making they see how bad you feel about what they did try pointing it out to them without necessarily using extremely hurting words to them.
By the way, every child has that moment when they make you proud of them so don’t focus do much on their weakness.
2. “Why Can’t You Be More Like Your Sibling?”
Comparing siblings can sow seeds of rivalry and resentment within the family unit.
Parent must understand that each child is unique with their own strengths and weaknesses, and such comparisons may undermine the individuality of one of the child.
Moreover saying words like this can encourage low self esteem in children.
Encouraging each child to embrace their own path and celebrating their achievements fosters a supportive and nurturing environment.
Don’t pull your child down but motivate them to become better at the positive things they are doing.
3. “You’re So Stupid” Or “You’ll Never Amount To Anything”
Negative reinforcement can have long-lasting effects on a child’s self-image and aspirations.
As a matter of fact, belittling their intelligence or potential diminishes their confidence and reduces their motivation to succeed.
Even when your child behaves in a way that you’re not satisfied with as a parent learn to bring their attention to it in a loving manner.
Hence, offering constructive feedback and encouragement empowers children to strive for their goals and believe in their abilities.
4. “I Wish You Were More Like (Another Child/Adult)”
Children need to feel valued and accepted for who they are, not compared to others.
You must understand that every child is unique in their own form and abilities.
Moreover, you don’t know the excesses of the other child you’re comparing our child to.
With this in mind, learn to improve the abilities in them rather than making them feel bad for who they are.
So, expressing such sentiments communicates a lack of acceptance and unconditional love.
Embracing their individuality and supporting their journey towards self-discovery fosters a healthy sense of self-esteem and identity.
5. “You’re Making A Big Deal Out Of Nothing”
Dismissing your child’s emotions or concerns invalidates their experiences and undermines their emotional well-being.
This is because, every child deserves to be heard, understood, and supported, irrespective of their feelings.
Try to always hear them out rather than bashing their feelings. Get close to them and make them know that every of their feeling are valid.
If you need to discipline them, you can but never try to invalidate their expression.
Encouraging open dialogue and empathy cultivates trust and strengthens the parent-child bond.
6. “You’re Making Me Angry”
This is another word parents should never say to their kids.
When it comes to expressing your feeling or emotions to your child the best way is to take responsibility rather than blaming them for how you feel.
Their actions can definitely influence the way you feel or react nevertheless never blame them for it.
When you blame your child for how you feel you’re trying to prove a point of defensiveness.
Instead of saying that, you can rather tell them this “I’m not feeling too good right now and its beginning to make me angry, I’ll be fine and talk to you when I’m most calmed down”
When you do this it teaches your child to also put their emotions in control and not blame others for it.
Additionally, it makes them understand that they are not the reason behind why you feel that way.
7. “You’re Dumb”
This is one of the vilest words any parent can say to their child. The way you speak to your kids has a way of influencing their inner voice.
When parents tell their kids that they are stupid or dumb then they may believe it and even begin to act in that way.
Parent must learn how to choose their words properly to their kids irrespective of how they feel at those moments.
Remember that children don’t forget things we say out of anger.
8. “Stop Talking To Me, Go Away”
It’s very normal to feel at the peak of your emotions as a parent. Sometimes you just want to shut down and want everyone to leave you alone.
However, take responsibility to needing space at that point in time rather than forcing your child way.
It could be as simple as telling them that, “I need some time to myself at this point in time but I’ll be right back soon”.
You can take some time to recharge yourself.
9. “What’s Wrong With You”
Parents should never use this word on their kids.
When your child begins to act in a way that doesn’t really please you as a parent, take some step back to focus on how to solve the problem.
Asking them what’s wrong with them in an offensive manner and will only put them down.
Instead, ask them how you both can work together to solve the problem.
As a parent if you’re always putting them down rather than taking steps to solving the problem then you’re gradually becoming part of the problems.
Hence focus your energy on how to tackle the reason why they are behaving the way they are.
10. “Shut Up”
Irrespective of the gibberish that your child is saying, learn to always hear them out.
Be their cheerleader and be there for them even when they are not making sense.
When you tell your child to shut up one of the things it does is that it makes them slow to express their opinion towards an issue in subsequently.
Rather approach it in a diplomatic way than pulling them down with your words.
Moreover, there might be an iota of sense in the nonsense you feel they are saying.
11. You’re Too Sensitive
Telling a child that they are too sensitive is one common behavior of parents who love to shift the blame and responsibilities of their behavior to the child inadequacies.
A young child might not have the self confidence to counter these assertions; they might believe that their sensitivity is the problem which might not be true.
Even if you think that they are too sensitive and they take matters to heart a lot don’t paint it to their face rather try to always be there to satisfy their emotional needs.
Conclusion
Words have the power to uplift, inspire, and nurture, but they also have the potential to wound and scar and for this cause there are a lot of words parents should never be found saying to their kids.
As parents, it’s important to recognize the impact of our words on our children’s emotional development so strive to create a supportive and nurturing environment built in love, acceptance, and respect.
When you always tell your kids inspiring and encouraging words it will definitely build their self esteem and contribute to the way they perceive life generally.