HELPING CHILDREN TO NEVER THINK OF THEMSELVES AS “BAD KIDS” AND
TEENS TO NEVER THINK OF THEMSELVES AS “NOT GOOD ENOUGH”
WHY POWER OF WORDS?
Power of Words is more than a well-known phrase we all hear from time to time. It is a powerful affirmation that impacts lives daily, especially of those dear to us, our children and teens.
Words are powerful, even if no one but your child/teen hears them. Words can often times become negative labels child/teen speaks to self in their thoughts. It is those negative thoughts that cause a child/teen to misperceive their reality and then subsequently make them feel bad. How many times have you heard a child/teen label themselves in not so flattering ways?
Children/Teens are exposed to labels that carry negative connotations every day. Kids, often times think in absolutes and they do not differentiate their behavior from their identities that well. Frequently calling behavior “bad” leads to feelings of being bad, which creates a negative self-perception and then leads to low self-esteem and more problem behaviors. Those faulty patterns of thinking, not only affect their overall well-being, but undermine their ability to cope with daily challenges.
How child/teen perceives themselves can make a huge impact on how they will behave. Negative words can be damaging to child/teen’s self-worth and put them at risk of mental health problems. Help them stop the vicious cycle and get help!
Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them.
LADY BIRD JOHNSON
ROLE OF A PARENT
The role of a parent is valuable to a child developing their own self-image. What parents say to child/teen and what they say about them to others, matters greatly. Parents are the first people that help the child/teen learn who they are, whether its something positive or negative. They are the ones who first seek help if their child/teen habitually believe their acquired negative labels and expectations. Parents can help their child/teen rewrite those labels and create more positive outlook on themselves.
There are no perfect parents, and there are no perfect children, but there are plenty of perfect moments along the way.
DAVE WILLIS. ORG
Improving your child well-being will improve the well-being of your family. When we view the child/teen in positive ways, we are better equipped to handle the challenging situations life throws at us, and at the same time model to our children how to cope with them. We are here to guide and help the parents achieve the better future for their child/teen.
TEACH YOUR CHILD/TEEN HOW TO C.O.P.E.®
Challenging obstacles are normal ways of life that we all come to accept with time. We, the parents were once the child/teen as well, vulnerable to faulty thinking and negative labels that made us feel bad. However, by virtue of our age and experience, we have had more practice in these matters and usually, though not every time, have an easier time letting go of insults and ruminating thoughts. Even now we have an easier time telling our children, “don’t sweat it”, “who cares what they think?”, “you should just let it go”. Parents know kids are more susceptible to frequently feeling the confusion, irritability, anger, and sadness that these negative words/labels can cause. And what do you suppose a child or teen might do? Encourage your child to seek help. Learn how you as a parent may help!
YOUR CHILD/TEEN WILL BE ABLE TO C.O.P.E.®
Through counseling, child and teen can recognize and examine their negative patterns and develop a more positive way of thinking about themselves and their life. They will gain healthy coping strategies to deal with daily challenges. We will support and uplift each child/teen, along with their parents to embrace their unique qualities and thrive in their lives.
CHALLENGE OBSTACLES- PURSUE EMPOWERMENT
c
O
P
E
Challenge your faulty thinking and choose words you speak to yourself consciously
Obstacles make you stronger, face them with the help of effective skills and positive self statements
Pursue assertive and effective communication skills with peers and parents
Empower yourself by trusting your abilities, making decisions and accepting the consequences