01/6What parents should avoid saying to kids

Children need motivation, they need encouragement to achieve their goals, words of wisdom to reach the heights of success and a guiding light to tread in the right direction. As parents, it is your responsibility to help them, to motivate them. But how exactly are you supposed to do it?

Instilling fear, guilt and shame is never the answer. You will only end up hurting your child, making them feel less of themselves and taking a toll on their confidence. So what are the things you should avoid saying to your child?

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02/6'If you don't work harder, you will only see failure in the future'

'If you don't work harder, you will only see failure in the future'

Working hard should not be equated with success. Some people work smart and achieve the same results, some work slow and still deliver similar outcomes. Having said that, everyone has a different potential. A child should not be pushed to achieve excellence, rather they should be encouraged to hone their skills and become better at what they love to do.

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03/6'You'll regret if you don't practice enough'

'You'll regret if you don't practice enough'

Parents should not use weapons of distress on their kids. Telling them they'll regret if they do not work harder or put more effort will do more harm than good. They'll probably try putting in more hours, but the stress and the fear of not achieving the necessary results may take a toll on their mental peace.

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04/6'If you act like that, no one will want to be your friend'

'If you act like that, no one will want to be your friend'

One's behaviour does not determine whether they'll have friends or not. While some people may despise your child for acting up, there may be some who love them for being authentic. Do not limit your child to society's idea of what's good and what's bad.

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05/6'I'm very disappointed, I was expecting so much more'

'I'm very disappointed, I was expecting so much more'

Burdening your child with high expectations is not the right way to motivate them. When disappointments follow, you may again feel tempted to blame them. This does not fare well for your child. They may end up feeling sad, less confident and unmotivated.

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06/6What to say instead

What to say instead

Here are a few phrases to say to your child instead:

'Focus on what you love, success will follow'

'You're allowed to make mistakes, don't sweat about it'

'People will love you for who you are'

'Do not let your grades define you and your future'

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