There is a thin line between self-confidence and self-doubt, and shattering this line can be done through various things, even as little as word of mouth — for example, the pet owners. Anyone with a pet will be able to tell when their actions or words don’t sit well with the pet. Being more specific, a dog. A dog responds with a sad face and probably leaves, then later comes back refreshed after a bone or two has been thrown at it. But for children, the action and the words cannot just be forgotten even after you shower them with gifts. It sticks with them like an expensive cologne which in turn affects how they carry themselves.

•Not only does it linger around in their head, but it also: Affects the children-parent relationship: As parents, our children look up to us to encourage and get them through tough times. This means they practically take everything being said to them by us to heart and brood over it. Now to pass more understanding, imagine your mentor always telling you how bad you are at what you do, how confident will you be in yourself? That’s exactly how it feels when we are criticizing our kids. When we are always going for their necks, the chances of bonding with our kids get to reduce. Because they grow scared of sharing their good and bad experiences which gives no room for bonding.

•Our children go to seek solace in someone else: One of the best relationships a parent can have with their children is to be the best of friends. Yes, being best friends with your kid is possible and criticizing them is not the way to go about it. Having our kids confide in us means they can tell us anything, including the terrible decisions they have made and lots more. During this period is when they will need a best friend in their parent. This does not mean we should always indulge their misbehaviour. It just means we should find a balance between criticizing and indulging.