Things to Stop Saying to Your Child
A mother once showed me her child’s notebook.
A parent once told me,
“I am only correcting my child for their own good.”
And I understand that.
Every parent wants their child to do well.
To grow. To improve.
But sometimes…
in the name of correcting,
we slowly start hurting.
Not intentionally.
But quietly.
She said,
“He just keeps scribbling… nothing proper.”
There was a little irritation in her voice.
And a quiet worry.
She wanted her child to start writing letters.
To do things “correctly.”
1. “Why can’t you be like others?”
This may feel like motivation.
But to a child, it sounds like:
“I am not enough.”
Comparison doesn’t build growth.
It builds doubt.
👉 Instead say:
“I know you can do better. I am with you.”
2. “You always do this”
Words like always and never stay.
They don’t correct behaviour.
They label the child.
And slowly, the child starts believing it.
👉 Instead say:
“This didn’t go right. Let’s try again.”
3. “This is wrong. Do it again.”
Correction without connection creates fear.
The child becomes more focused on not making mistakes…
than on learning.
👉 Instead say:
“Let’s see how we can make this better.”
A gentle reminder
Children don’t remember every instruction.
But they remember how your words made them feel.
And those feelings…
stay longer than any lesson.
You don’t have to change everything.
Just begin with your words.
Small shifts…
create deep changes.
If you feel there is more your child is trying to say…
and you don’t want to keep guessing…
I would be happy to guide you.
Through your child’s handwriting, we can gently understand
what they are feeling and how you can support them better.