Psychology says parents who shout “don’t cry, be strong” are actually raising more anxious adults: Here’s what to say instead |
Children rarely remember every conversation they had with their parents, but they often remember how those conversations made them feel. A seemingly harmless phrase such as “don’t cry, be strong” is frequently intended to comfort a distressed child. Yet psychologists increasingly warn that repeatedly dismissing a child’s emotional experience can have unintended consequences. While resilience…