What are some hurtful things parents say?

23 Hurtful Things Parents Say That Kids Still Remember As Adults
  • I wish you were never born.
  • You were my worst mistake in life.
  • You look fat.
  • My marriage failed because of you.
  • I don't want to see you ever again.
  • I can give you life and I can take that away.
  • It's all your fault.
  • It's not my job to be nice to you.

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What are some toxic things parents say?

Belittle the Child
  • Stop crying or I'll give you something to cry about.
  • You're such a disappointment.
  • Why did you do that? You're so stupid.
  • You can't do anything right.
  • You're worthless.
  • No one will ever love you.
  • You can't even open a jar. You're so useless.
  • You're so dumb.

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What is the most hurtful thing to say to a child?

“You never do anything right.” / “You're a loser.” Being called a screw-up or an idiot is demeaning. These things are said to make people feel shame, or to put them in their place. Though many people think shame is a good way to punish kids, I don't think it gives children the tools they need to learn new skills.

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What is the most damaging thing a parent can say to a child?

Ellen Perkins wrote: "Without doubt, the number one most psychologically damaging thing you can say to a child is 'I don't love you' or 'you were a mistake'.

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What are words that can damage a child?

Hurting words slash at a child's self-confidence: "You're stupid." "What a slob!" "You're disgusting." "You're worthless." Helping words show you care and make a child feel worthwhile and secure: "You can do it." "Great job." "You're beautiful." "I'm proud of you."

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8 Hurtful Things Parents Tell Children

32 related questions found

What is the most abused word?

And that frequent misuse has not escaped linguists; according to the editors at Dictionary.com, “We submit that ironic might be the most abused word in the English language.” That's a tough claim to prove, but it's clear that confusion over the definition of irony is persistent, and decades old.

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What parents should not say?

A psychotherapist shares the 5 phrases parents should never say to their kids—and what to use instead
  • “We'll never afford that.” ...
  • “You make me so mad.” ...
  • “I hate my job.” ...
  • “I have to go to the store.” ...
  • “Everything will be okay.”

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What are things toxic parents do?

Toxic parents create a negative and toxic home environment. They use fear, guilt, and humiliation as tools to get what they want and ensure compliance from their children. They are often neglectful, emotionally unavailable, and abusive in some cases. They put their own needs before the needs of their children.

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What age do parents say is the hardest?

Age 8 Is the Hardest Age to Parent, According to Parent Poll.

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What are signs of a toxic mother?

Signs you might have a toxic parent include:
  • They're self-centered. They don't think about your needs or feelings.
  • They're emotional loose cannons. They overreact, or create drama.
  • They overshare. ...
  • They seek control. ...
  • They're harshly critical. ...
  • They lack boundaries.

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How do you hurt a kid?

Hurting a child's body is called physical abuse.

It can happen from hitting hard with a hand or an object like a belt, especially when the hits leave bruises or cuts. Shaking, pushing, choking, painful grabbing, and kicking also can be physical abuse. Hurting kids is never OK.

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What are some hurtful words?

Words are powerful weapons and can do a lot of damage. “ You're *#@! % stupid. ” “ I wish you were never born. ” “ No one is ever going to love you, you're so *#@! % fat and ugly. ” “ You never get anything right. ” “ You're worthless. ” These are mean and degrading things to say to someone.

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Why do parents words hurt?

Why do these phrases hurt kids? Children look to their parents for love, support, and approval. The thing kids fear most, apart from abandonment, is disappointing their parents. So these phrases, often spoken in fits of anger or frustration, hit kids where they are most vulnerable.

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What not to say to your kid?

10 Things You Should Never Say to Your Kids
  • "Great Job." ...
  • "Practice Makes Perfect." ...
  • "You're Okay." ...
  • "Hurry Up!" ...
  • "I'm On a Diet." ...
  • "We Can't Afford That." ...
  • "Don't Talk to Strangers." ...
  • "Be Careful."

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What counts as abusive parenting?

Parents who commit physical abuse are unable to control their anger and turn to violence, including hitting, kicking, or choking. Children may develop broken bones or bruises. Abusive parents often tell their children that they would lie if their injuries were ever questioned.

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What do toxic parents look like?

Toxic parents may invade your privacy or not allow you to make your own decisions. Or maybe they're overly critical and controlling of your decisions, even as an adult. Manipulative behaviors. Your parent may try to control you by using guilt or shame to play with your emotions.

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What age do kids get easier?

They become quite independent as they reach 5-6 years of age, even wanting to help you with some of the chores! This is probably why most parents look at age 6 as the magical age when parenting gets easier.

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What stage of kids is the hardest?

It's no wonder then that research finds that the hardest years of parenting are the tween, (or middle school if you're in the USA) years. They may be less physically exhausting than the early years, but emotionally they are so much more exhausting.

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What age are the best parents?

Although parents did see how being younger than 30 might be the optimal biological age for having children, they saw beyond age 35 as superior socially. For instance, the study reported some “older parents” found that interacting with other “younger” parents made them more culturally in the loop.

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Are my parents toxic or is it me?

Some of the common signs of a toxic parent or parents include: Highly negatively reactive. Toxic parents are emotionally out of control. They tend to dramatize even minor issues and see any possible slight as a reason to become hostile, angry, verbally abusive, or destructive.

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What are the signs of trauma in a child?

Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Children may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions such as heart pounding, vomiting, or loss of bowel or bladder control.

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What are mommy issues?

Mommy issues refer to problems forming or maintaining healthy adult relationships, due to a person's insecure or unhealthy relationship with their mother or another female figure in their childhood.

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What not to say to a crying child?

Saying “Don't Cry!” Makes Life Harder For You

Their message is therefore likely to become louder and more persistent. By asking or telling them to “stop,” you're also telling your child that their emotions are invalid and unimportant.

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What is a toxic mom?

A toxic mother creates a negative home environment where unhealthy interactions and relationships damage a child's sense of self and their views of relationships with others. Over time, it increases the risk of poor development in the child's self-control, emotional regulation, social relations, etc1.

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What is the meanest thing to say to your dad?

Worst Things You Can Say to Your Parents
  • "I wish you weren't my dad" You really don't mean it, but in the heat of the moment, that's what you said. ...
  • "I wish you were dead" You've been pushed to your limit. ...
  • "I bet you can't wait to get back to work" ...
  • "I hate you" ...
  • "Shut up"

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