If You Want Your Kids to be Mentally Strong, Stop Saying These 5 Things to Them
Mental strength can get misinterpreted. Sometimes, your positive words about something they did or didn’t do can turn into a toxic message for your children.
Despite your good intentions, words can potentially harm your kids’ mental health in some way. Just like when a father says that he’s proud of his son for being so strong just because he didn’t cry when his grandmother died. Crying is not a sign of weakness. It would take more courage to break down and cry rather than keep it bottled up inside.
Being mentally strong means that you are aware of your emotions and know how to express them healthily—like crying when you feel down. Your words can make a huge impact on your kids. So if you’re not careful, you might say things that would eventually instill unhealthy habits. This could prevent them from developing mental strength, which they need to reach their full potential.
If you’re guilty of saying these five statements to you’re child, then you might need to make simple shifts to your parenting habits.
“Stop crying”
Again, there’s nothing wrong with crying. It’s a healthy way to show emotions. Most adults who find themselves apologizing when they start to tear up were most probably taught at a young age that crying is bad.
However, throwing tantrums is a different story. Parents should try to correct the inappropriate behavior by explaining to their kids that disturbing other people is not okay. Remember to adjust the action, not the emotion.
“Calm down”
When parents tell their kids to calm down, it’s mostly out of their frustration because they want them to stop. Most of the time, it’s not creating a sense of peace.
This may be annoying for most parents, but think of it as your child’s way of telling you that they’re upset. Instead of telling them to calm down, teach them what they can do to get a grip on things. You want them to know what to do whenever you’re not present.
“It’s no big deal”
If your child is worried about an upcoming recital or concerned about a friend who they think is upset with them, don’t discredit their concerns by saying that it’s not a big deal. It’s a big deal for them.
What they’re trying to tell you is that they want you to help them deal with these emotions. Instead of insisting that they should not be concerned, teach them skills to cope with the distress.
“Everything will work out fine”
As a parent, you would want to constantly reassure your kids that things are okay, and nothing bad will happen to them. However, it’s not all the time that everything is okay.
You have to accept the fact that you can’t protect your kids from all the hardships and tragedies. They have to face them on their own because that’s one way for them to learn. Just make sure that you teach them the necessary coping skills.
“You’re the smartest kid in the whole school”
Exaggerated praises can do more harm than good. You would want to keep your praises genuine. Focus more on the effort they did to achieve their accomplishment instead of the results. This way, they’ll know that you value their effort regardless of the outcome.
If you only praise your kids when they achieved something, they may feel like they have to win at all costs even if it means that they have to cheat or hurt other people. They may also think that they are only worthy of praise when they excel, so they won’t bother trying out something that they could potentially fail.
More in Mind & Mental
-
`
How “Looking Your Best” Improves Our Wellbeing
Most of us have had moments standing in front of our closet, deciding on an outfit for the day. And we...
November 15, 2023 -
`
Therapy? Medication? What Are the Treatments for PTSD
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a common after-effect of traumatic events. It can be a debilitating condition, but the good news...
November 7, 2023 -
`
Meet the Woman Who ALMOST Married Barack Obama
Barack Obama’s life has been a captivating narrative, often told and retold, with each revelation adding layers of intrigue to his...
November 5, 2023 -
`
The Rise of Caviar Bumps, Thanks to Gen Z
In an intriguing twist of culinary culture, millennials and Gen Zers are drawn to an unusual indulgence – fish eggs, or...
October 28, 2023 -
`
Everything You Need to Know About Acid Reflux, Heartburn and GERD
Ever had that burning-in-the-chest sensation after a meal? Or perhaps you have lain awake at night with an odd sour taste...
October 17, 2023 -
`
Best AI Apps for Mental Health
Mental health has long been a topic of discussion and concern. With technological advancements, AI (Artificial Intelligence) has emerged as a...
October 10, 2023 -
`
Jamie Watson: The Man Behind Jamie Lynn Spears’ Heart
Jamie Lynn Spears, the talented actress and sister of pop sensation Britney Spears, has a rock in her life that she...
October 6, 2023 -
`
3 Drawbacks of Dollar Stores You Never Knew
If you’re all about saving a buck or two, you’re probably quite thankful for those dollar stores in your neighborhood. As...
October 1, 2023 -
`
Is Coffee a Dehydrating Agent? Learn the Science Behind It
Coffee is an essential part of daily life for millions of people around the world. From a quick pick-me-up in the...
September 19, 2023
You must be logged in to post a comment Login