It’s time to stop teasing your kids about these things.
We play, we laugh, and we joke around with our kids and grandkids. It’s good that we do because it’s a way to connect.
Studio 5 Parenting Contributor Heather Johnson has a bit of advice when it comes to teasing. She says there are certain things you should not tease the kids about for it may do more harm than it does good. She shares the topics to avoid.
To contact Heather for counseling, email blog.familyvolley@gmail.com, or visit www.familyvolley.blogspot.com.
Stop Teasing Your Kids About These 6 Things
How they look
If they’ve chosen their clothes, refrain from teasing. Instead, you can start a conversation with your child. Explain that a swimsuit over top of a t-shirt may not be a functional outfit for the day’s activities.
Heather says that sometimes parents can tease about certain aspects of their child’s physical appearance without realizing that’s an insecurity their child already holds. So, never make light of the way they look.
When they are afraid
Heather says that often parents think if they tease their kids about their fears (the dark, monster under the bed, the ocean) that it will lessen the fear. However, it actually fuels it. Instead, we want to understand the fear.
Their emotions
“If we tease our kids about their emotions, they’ll stop sharing them”. Heather says that if we make light of what our kid’s are feeling, then they will communicate their emotions less overtime.
What they eat
Buildup don’t break down their self-esteem. If you tease your children for what they eat, or how much they eat, they could begin to develop body insecurities. Instead, have a real conversation.
When they are quiet
Heather says that shyness, quietness, or an inability to talk to others aren’t things to tease your children about. In fact, it might only make them more introverted. Instead, we want to build them up and offer them tools that will help them to navigate their shyness.
Their performance
Whether in sports or in academics, the child is probably already aware of their poor performance. They aren’t looking to be teased for it, especially by family. Heather says that in order to tease your kids appropriately, tease about behavior. Behavior can potentially change. Don’t tease in a way that leads your child to believe that they aren’t good enough or that is something in wrong with them.
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