One of the most heart-breaking things a parent can hear is a child being mean to themselves. Some children get so overwhelmed at times that they call themselves names, or even worse, hit themselves when they are upset. As adults, we can feel helpless in these moments and are quick to say something to negate our child’s statement like “Of course you’re not stupid” or “Don’t say that; it’s not true” But, responding with comments opposite of a child’s thoughts can feel dismissive and leave them feeling emotionally alone. In this week’s episode, I’m going to walk you through what is happening for many of our kids in these moments and share a few ideas on how to support them.

[Note: These ideas are for informational purposes only. If you have concerns about your child’s safety due to physical self-harm or verbal self-criticism, please talk with their medical or mental health provider.]

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