Hey, that's a new twist on an old rhyme most of us grew up with. In spite of how tough we tried to be, somewhere inside each of us those harsh, critical words really did hurt. When a person (adult or child) hears repeated taunts, criticisms, and put-downs it influences how we think about ourselves. Gosh, we start believing what is said about us is really true! I've read in several references from my counseling studies that it takes seven compliments, affirmations, or encouragements to help us recover from the hurt of one put-down zinger received from people in our world. Wow!

Parents certainly have a lot of influence on how children feel about themselves. How we speak and what we say can go a long way toward giving our children a strong sense of self worth. When spoken with sincere caring, here are some words your child needs to hear from you:

"I'm so lucky to have you."

"You are a great helper."

"I like it when you try so hard."

"Let's talk about it."

"I'm sorry."

"You're very special to me."

"Thank you for being patient."

"You're a great kid."

"I love you."

Challenge to Parents: Think about what you say to your children that lets them know you appreciate and value them. Identify 5 phrases you use in your family to "put-up" your children, or let them know how important each of them is to you. And better yet, ask your kids what they love to hear you say to them!