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Are you worried about your child using negative self-talk?
Negative self-talk can be tough to deal with, especially when it’s coming from your own child. But don’t worry, because there is one thing you can do to help them turn that negative self-talk around.
First, let’s define what we mean by negative self-talk.
Negative self-talk is when a person talks to themselves in a negative way, putting themselves down or criticizing themselves.
It’s not uncommon for children to engage in negative self-talk, and it’s important to address it because it can lead to low self-esteem and other mental health issues.

Sings to Watch Out For
So, how do you know if your child is engaging in negative self-talk? Here are a few signs to look out for:
- Negative statements about themselves, such as “I’m stupid” or “I can’t do anything right”
- Overgeneralization, where they assume that one negative event means everything is bad
- Catastrophizing, where they blow small things out of proportion and make them seem like the end of the world
- Personalization, where they take responsibility for things that aren’t their fault
- Filtering, where they only focus on the negative and ignore the positive
The One Thing That Can Really Help Your Child
Now, let’s talk about the one thing you can do to help your child combat negative self-talk: encourage positive self-talk. This means helping your child identify positive affirmations they can say to themselves, practicing saying them regularly, and creating a positive environment at home.
Here are some steps to get started:
- Identify positive affirmations: Encourage your child to come up with positive statements they can say to themselves. Examples could include “I am capable,” “I am smart,” or “I am loved.”
- Practice saying positive affirmations: Once your child has identified some positive affirmations, have them practice saying them regularly. This can be done in front of a mirror or just throughout the day.
- Create a positive environment: Finally, make sure your home environment is a positive one. This means avoiding negative self-talk yourself and encouraging positivity in all aspects of life.
In addition to encouraging positive self-talk, it’s also important to help your child challenge negative self-talk. This means helping them identify when they’re engaging in negative self-talk, challenging those negative thoughts, and replacing them with positive affirmations.
Remember, addressing negative self-talk in your child is important for their mental health and well-being.
Don’t be afraid to have open and honest conversations with them about their thoughts and feelings. And if you need additional support, there are plenty of resources available such as therapists or support groups.
Print This Positive Parenting Guidebook – The 5 Pillars Of Positive Parenting
Listen… parenting with connection and positivity has been seen as permissive and lazy parenting BUT this is totally not the case.
I am a mom of 3 beautiful children and I’ve spent HOURS, DAYS, MONTHS, and YEARS researching this topic and seriously, it is my favorite way to parent.
Way better than what I grew up with – which was A LOT of yelling, spanking and frankly, neglect.
This little guidebook is a golden nugget that you can have for free – and print it out! Put it on the fridge, refer to it often. It’s really a great tool for kids of all ages.

Download Your Free Printout
- Download the guidebook. You’ll get the printable, plus join hundreds parents who receive my weekly parenting tips and ideas! (Sometimes I’ll promote a parenting program, but only the best ones that are in the positive parenting community, I promise.)
- Print. Print out the guidebook!
- Place it where you can see it. There is a lot of great information in this guidebook, even though it’s small. It’s power packed full of great stuff so put it where you can refer to it often.