What parents communicate to children plays a great deal in building their confidence and self-esteem.
It is important to choose your words wisely, or you can damage their confidence completely unknowingly.
Beware of the damage these words can do to your children’s confidence and self-esteem and be conscious in your choice of words.
I told you so!
We are so tempted to say this when kids do not listen to us, and something goes wrong. We make sure to tell them how wrong they were and should have listened to us in the first place. Please bite your tongue next time when you are about to say this.
Your brother / friend / cousin is so good / better at this, why can’t you do the same?
Comparison hurts! More than you can think. Just imagine your spouse comparing you to someone.
You are shy / fat / bad / lazy or any other label.
Labelling or name calling has a very bad impact on a child’s self-image. They start believing that’s who they are and live upto their self-image. They even find it hard to break their image even if they do good.
This should be avoided at any cost.
How many times I have to tell you this…
When you tell something so many times, kids become used to it. The problem is in your communication – either you have not set the limits properly or the way you are telling, is not right.
Due to overtelling, kids stop listening and only listen after being told so many times.
I am so disappointed with you!
Disappointed is a very strong word and emotional attack on a child!
Never ever say this to your child! It only gives a message that I am not accepted or loved by my family the way I am.
The worst message you might want to pass on to your child.
What kind of challenges do you face raising your children? How do you help them build confidence, please feel free to share.
Also, Stay tuned www.salonisingh.com about the parenting workshops to coach parents how to build self-esteem in their children.
Much love.