Subtle Ways Parents Destroy Their Children’s Self-esteem

Oftentimes, children who are constantly compared to others have a diminished sense of individuality and ultimately come to believe that they are worthless, a report has claimed.

Parents want to believe that that they are doing a particular deed or applying a specific disciplinary method for their child’s own good. They use discipline and corrective measures in ways that irreparably damage or negatively impact a child’s self-esteem.

Many parents believe that they are only guiding and helping their child when, in fact, they are causing harm instead. Comparing children to their siblings or other children makes them begin to doubt themselves.

Parents often believe that if they extol the positive characteristics of siblings and other children to their so-called errant child, their own child will improve. Oftentimes, children who are constantly compared to others have a diminished sense of individuality and ultimately come to believe that they are worthless.

Also, many parents are threatened if their children’s abilities and characteristics are different from their own. These are firm believers that their offspring should be carbon copies of themselves with similar characteristics, interests, and goals. They feel that if their children are just like them, everything will be harmonious and stress-free.

Parents who criticize their different children’s innate abilities and characteristics are often invalidating their children’s innermost psychological core.

These children often feel insignificant and totally unappreciated.

Making mistakes is an integral part of a child’s learning and growth process. However, there are parents who equate mistakes with grave mortal sins.

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