Psychologist identifies parental behaviors that harm child self-esteem

Psychologist Jeffrey Bernstein, Ph.D., has identified common parental behaviors that can inadvertently undermine a child's self-esteem and confidence. Writing for Psychology Today, Bernstein notes that even well-intentioned actions can send damaging messages to children.

One major pitfall is the tendency to constantly correct or critique a child's efforts. Using phrases like ‘Well done, but you could have done better’ can lead a child to believe their efforts are never sufficient. Instead of focusing on flaws, Bernstein suggests parents focus on progress and ask questions such as, ‘What did you like most about what you did?’ to encourage self-evaluation.

Another harmful behavior is comparing children to their siblings or peers. Because every child possesses unique abilities and temperaments, systematic comparison can foster a sense of inadequacy and damage their self-image.