What has happened since the devastating boxing day tsunami?
This will rarely have the desired effect: that the child will come with you. Instead, it will make them feel less secure and that you don't care for them. Feeling abandoned is not a good thing.
In the words of psychologist Timothy Gunn, "The number one job of a parent is to stay calm no matter what happens." This models for our kids how we want them to behave.
You can ruin any positive reinforcement with a "but." Sure, you should encourage your kids to do the best they can, but maybe wait for another time to do so. Let them enjoy the victory!
Well, this is hardly the case, but the real problem is that the child will always feel guilty if they do anything "wrong" that would upset mom or dad. After all, they're selfless, right?
Say this too much and you risk your child actually doing this on a permanent basis. If you're always unavailable, then there's no point in talking to you, right?
This is a great way to kick start an eating disorder in your kid. It's parents' responsibility what they feed their children. Children should not be worrying about their body image and their diet.
The child will most likely believe they can't trust or express their feelings, because they're wrong. This can be damaging because the child will believe that indeed something is wrong with them.
It's great to encourage kids, but be careful with overly-ambitious goals. It's okay if they don't become the next sports star or rich entrepreneur. They can still be great.
If your child is crying and is clearly upset, telling they that they're okay won't help. First acknowledge that indeed they're not okay, and then try to figure out why.
Beware of using words such as "never" or "always." "Statements like these place children in a box of negativity or permanence—suggesting that they are always a certain way, and incapable or unexpected to improve," says Daniel Patterson, author of 'The Assertive Parent.'
Children don't need to know the details of their parents' financial struggles. This will only make them feel anxious.
While it's a good idea to encourage your kids, you might want to manage their expectations. They might find themselves practicing and not achieving perfection and questioning if they're good enough.
Threatening your children is probably not a good idea, especially with something you're not really going to follow through on.
Children are not expected to behave like adults. Even if they're behaving "too childish," maybe there's a reason. Kids might revert to old patterns of behavior when they're anxious, nervous, or scared.
Children are not responsible for your feelings, including your disappointment. Telling them so will only make them feel bad and guilty.
Instead, explain the reasoning why they should do something or stop a certain behavior. They'll be more likely to comply if they understand why you're asking them to do or stop doing something.
Your emotional well-being is your responsibility, not your child's. It's positive for children to understand that their behavior affects other people, but that's different from being responsible for their parents' feelings.
If they're being "lazy," usually there's an underlying reason for it. Try to understand why, instead of attacking your kid's sense of self-worth.
Children cry to express their emotions, including frustration. They learn to regulate them the older they get, but suppressing them is not the answer.
Most of us have heard this one during our childhood. It's instinctive, but it doesn't really work because kids will just get stressed and not actually hurry up. Instead, try giving your child specific steps on what needs to happen next.
"If they could, they would! You can never get through to a child when they're throwing a tantrum," says parenting and child development expert Denise Daniels. Try to remain calm, validate their feelings, and just be patient.
Not only is this derogatory, but it can have a serious impact on the child. Pediatric psychologist Brittany N. Barber Garcia says that "this can not only negatively impact a child's mood, self-esteem, and self-confidence, but it can also undermine your relationship and make the child less likely to do what you want in the first place."
Anger is natural. Your kids won't stop being angry at each other because you tell them to. You can't control how they feel, so instead help them cope with how they respond to their feelings.
Sources: (Redbook)
See also: Supportive celebrities with LGBT kids
"Children believe it when their parents tell them that they are more special than others. That may not be good for them or for society," says Brad Bushman, a professor of communication and psychology.
This is manipulative and will force your child to pick sides, while feeling horrible about the fact that they too share the [insert bad trait] their mom/dad has.
Kids need to learn with their mistakes. That's how we grow as humans. Stepping in all the time will make your kids believe they are incapable of doing certain tasks and will make them feel dependent on you.
Shame is not something young children understand, but they will. And once they do, they might become defiant and even aggressive when they feel it.
Children need boundaries and you can only enforce them by saying "no" sometimes.
This can alienate a child and actually harm your family. Children are individuals and they will always be different and unique, even when raised by the same people in the same way.
Yes they do! All kids (and adults, for that matter) get scared, regardless of age. This only invalidates and dismisses their emotional response.
According to family therapist Karyl McBride, "When a trusted adult—a person upon whom the child is dependent for everything—indicates that something is wrong with the child, a child will internalize this and believe it. They will ask themselves what is wrong with them—and they won’t be able to find the answer."
Parenting is quite demanding and it can be very hard at times. It's safe to say that we all lose our patience from time to time, and we certainly all make mistakes. But there are many things we say to our children than can really hurt them. This is not limited to just venting our frustrations on them. In fact, some forms of praise can also be harmful.
In this gallery, we look at what the experts have to say about the things we should not say to our children. Click through to learn more.
Things parents should never say to their kids
Some sentences do more harm than good
LIFESTYLE Parenting
Parenting is quite demanding and it can be very hard at times. It's safe to say that we all lose our patience from time to time, and we certainly all make mistakes. But there are many things we say to our children than can really hurt them. This is not limited to just venting our frustrations on them. In fact, some forms of praise can also be harmful.
In this gallery, we look at what the experts have to say about the things we should not say to our children. Click through to learn more.