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One day, I was scrolling through TikTok, watching video after video about inner voices. People were discussing how their mothers would criticize them and their fathers would behave narcissistically, leading them to treat themselves and others in similar ways. As I sat there, I found myself pondering, "Inner voice? What does that even mean?" This led me to reflect on the ways my friends and family spoke to themselves and others. Regardless of whether the talk was negative or positive, it had to originate from somewhere.

The thought that crossed my mind took me back to a day at a friend's house. She was packing for a family vacation, and with each piece of clothing she tried on, all she had to say about herself was negative. Her mother joined in, immediately making negative comments about how the clothing fit and suggesting that if she lost a few pounds, her clothes would fit properly. It highlighted for me what the TikTok posts were explaining – parents play a significant role in shaping their children's deepest inner thoughts, and many people now grapple with damaged inner voices.

Have you ever noticed a voice in your head? Is it encouraging you through the challenges you may be facing and hyping you up in your endeavors? Or is it putting you down, causing insecurities and doubts about your potential failure? Remember the days of growing up, feeling invincible, thinking anything is possible, and having all these positive emotions about yourself? You used to express these feelings with your parents, but slowly, their everyday comments diminished those emotions.

Do you now feel small and lack the drive to be confident in yourself? Every time you look in the mirror, want to go to continue your education, or have a business idea, the only thing stopping you is that nagging voice in your head, repeating the negatives – what you never could do, the weight you should've lost, and just overall negative thoughts. This is the inner voice you might be creating for your child if you're potentially sabotaging their thoughts. Thankfully, I am here to discuss with you how a child's inner voice can be damaged. But before we continue this conversation, go support the sponsor we love today, here’s a quick ad for them.

So, here is one way you might unconsciously or consciously sabotage your children’s inner voice, impacting their self-esteem and decision-making. The way you talk to your kids automatically influences communication styles which will play a role in affecting different aspects of their life such as self compassion, independence, and the way they develop relationships.

Success in life often hinges on effective communication, a crucial skill for building a child’s confidence and strengthening resilient behaviors. Learning communication begins with how you, as a parent, interact with your child, others around you, and, most importantly, how you treat yourself. Whether providing positive reinforcement for their achievements or offering constructive feedback for improvement, your words carry weight. For instance, criticizing your child's appearance with statements like 'You could be pretty if you didn’t weigh so much,' 'Nobody likes a fat girl,' 'Nobody wants to date a guy if his business isn’t up and running,' or 'You won’t be as successful as your sister if you don’t go to college' can deeply affect your children. These comments may lead them to internalize negative messages, creating a self-sabotaging inner voice that echoes in their everyday tasks.

Conversely, communicating with your child using words of love and offering supportive advice allows them to flourish. This approach creates an environment where your children feel comfortable sharing their struggles, whether related to weight or career aspirations. By practicing patience, love, and kindness in your communication, you empower them to navigate challenges with resilience and maintain a positive inner dialogue

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