Listen ""I'm Rubbish at Everything!": 5 Steps to Handle Your Child's Self-Criticism"
Episode Synopsis
What do you do when your child says "Everyone hates me," "I'm rubbish at everything," or "I'm a loser"?In this bucket-emptying episode, I share exactly how to respond in the moment when your child is being self-critical.I'll walk you through my 5-step approach to handle these heartbreaking moments without dismissing their feelings or being overly positive. You'll learn why that internal dialogue matters so much, how to validate their experience while offering a more realistic perspective, and my powerful "pause and reframe" technique that helps children catch themselves before negative self-talk becomes hardwired.This is about what to do RIGHT NOW when these comments happen - not the long-term strategies (that's coming in a full Thursday episode). Whether your child occasionally has these moments or this has become a pattern, these techniques will help you respond in a way that actually helps rather than accidentally making things worse.Remember: self-criticism reflects their internal monologue, and with the right approach, we can help them develop a healthier inner voice. Their brains are incredibly plastic - we have time to turn this around.Key topics covered:Understanding your child's internal dialogue and self-talkThe 5-step response framework for self-critical momentsWhy validation comes before correctionTeaching the "pause and reframe" techniqueHow to model healthy self-talk as a parentThis episode is perfect for parents dealing with children who struggle with self-esteem, negative self-talk, or perfectionism.So find a comfy seat, pour yourself a cuppa, and enjoy the conversation…Highlights from this episode:01:35 - What is self talk?03:50 - Validate your child’s feelings05:55 - Offer a realistic alternative08:30 - Pause and reframe11:56 - Rome wasn’t built in a day💚 Join our campaign One Million Moments to reduce the number of children struggling with mental health challenges from 17% to 10% by 2025 - https://onemillionmoments.org/💚 Let’s grow our village together, please share with at least one friendDISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
More episodes of the podcast How Not to Screw Up Your Kids
The Christmas Survival Kit for Parents
01/12/2025
Helping Children with Setbacks
27/11/2025
How to Deal with Academic & Exam Stress
20/11/2025
Bucket Emptying: Tantrum or Meltdown?
17/11/2025
Rage Against the Screen: Children, Tech & Social Media with Mumsnet Founder Justine Roberts
06/11/2025
Unhealthy Friendships
03/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.