Daily Tips for Families

Today's Tip for Families

12-12-2021

Help Your Child Conquer Self-Criticism

Some children can be very hard on themselves. They may strive for perfection and feel like failures if they aren't the best. They may stop trying, and their school performance can suffer.

To protect your child from perfectionism:

Review your standards. If you set realistic goals for your child and relax about normal mistakes, your child is likely to do the same thing.
Be sympathetic. Instead of brushing off your child’s self-criticism, discuss it with her. Remind her that no one can be perfect.
Consider her motives. Sometimes kids complain about themselves to get reassurance from parents. Make sure your child receives plenty of attention even when she’s not feeling down.
Encourage positive thinking. Point out your child’s strengths. Help her learn from mistakes. Have her use affirmative self-talk, such as, “I’m proud of how hard I tried.”
Say, “I love you no matter what!” Emphasize that you love your child for who she is. Explain that this will never change, no matter what she does or doesn’t do.

Brought to you by:

West Point Consolidated School District