Our children are our favorite people on the planet. Okay, sometimes they might unsettle us, but overall, we think they’re awesome, smart, and fun. They give our lives a beauty and depth we cannot imagine without them. But sometimes we don’t always let them know that in the way we should. (Hey, life has problems!)
Additionally, if we tell them without praise, compliments, and positive affirmations, we may end up sending them the wrong message. TikTok user @destination_moody has an important message for parents to help us recalibrate the way we communicate with our children.
“If you tell your children that Santa Claus is coming to bring them presents, they will believe you. If you tell your children to put a tooth under their pillow and a fairy will magically leave them money, they will Believe in you. If you tell your children that unicorns, dragons, mermaids, and ghosts exist, they will believe you. So if you tell them that they are slow, clumsy, mean, or stupid, they will believe you. They, they’re smart, they’re brave, they’re capable, they’re kind, because they would believe that too.
It’s a very simple message, but one that I think a lot of parents need a reminder from time to time. Children are basically genetically engineered to listen to us… I know this may be hard to believe sometimes for those of you who have a willful child, but it’s true. (and, listen not equal to obey.) There’s a saying I’ve heard in recent years: “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.” I’m sure many adults can see how true this statement is.
Look, we still need to correct and guide our children – that’s an important part of parenting – but it’s a good practice to make sure we’re nurturing them with praise and positivity, at least as much as telling them There are just as many things not to do.
