Children should always expect from their parents love and care.

But what if the parents are toxic?

How would you feel if I told you that in 2008, the

Administration of Children and Families in the US Department of Health and Human

Services

reported that more than 50,000 children were officially counted as victims of
emotional abuse?

Whether hurtful words are intended to cause pain or not...

...they can leave marks and memories from a short time to a lifetime.

Hurtful remarks can come from loved ones such as parents, and the psychological and
emotional damage can be detrimental to a lot of people...

especially their children.

The way parents raise their children and behave around them sets up the basic
ground which builds their personality and self-esteem.

So, how do you know if a parent or caretaker is toxic?

Here are eight things toxic parents say that can affect a child's life.

One.

Offensive words towards their appearance.

"You're ugly, too fat, too short or too skinny, or you have ugly hair."

Degrading a child based on their appearance will likely only increase their
physical insecurity and worry about their body image.

This could lead to serious emotional issues such as eating disorders.

Parents are supposed to teach their children how to love themselves no matter how
they look on the outside.

Two.

Provocative questions towards actions.

Like, "Why do you act so weird?", "Why do you walk that way?"

"Chew that way?", "Move or talk that way?"

Children tend to believe anything their parents say, so sarcastic

questions or remarks like these may make the child feel like there's something
wrong with them.

This makes it very hard for the child to be themselves around people, even during
their adulthood.
and they may then be trapped by the discomfort and fear that others may laugh at
them, or notice the flaws that they're toxic parents made up for them. (poor
sobble...)

Three.

Selfish wishes.

"I wish you were never born.", "I wish I had an abortion.", "I regret having you.",
"I wish you were a different child."

Parents should never say something like this to a child.

It'll make them feel like they weren't supposed to exist in this world in the first
place, and that they don't deserve to be alive.

These remarks are so harmful to a child, to a human in general.

They diminish their whole sense of identity, which can lead to self harm and early
depression.

Instead, parents should make them feel loved and valued.

Four.

Making the child feel like a burden/hurdle.

"You cost me too much money.", "It's so hard to take care of you.", "Having you
exhausts me".

If a parent says this to their child, the child will feel like a burden.

It'll cause them to unconsciously hide their needs feelings and problems...

...just to avoid the rough of the parent.

Considering that,

Nemours, a non-profit children's health care system, reported that lack of love and
affection, or materialistic things are some of the causes for some children to lean
on stealing, and being abusive.

Five.

Unhealthy comparisons.

"Why aren't you like your sibling, cousin, or the other kids?" "The other kids are
better than you."

This will reduce a child's self-esteem substantially, and makes them think that
they'll never be good enough, no matter how hard they try.

Also, comparing siblings with one another only promotes an unhealthy relationship
between them.

This will cause them to feel jealousy and resentment towards each other.

Siblings should be equally given the right to build their own independent
identities.

Six.

Verbally abusive words are statements.

"You're stupid.", "Useless." "You're a loser." or, "You'll never make it."

Absolute remarks like this will damage the child's self-esteem.

It's important that parents encourage their children into believing in themselves.

Seven.

Threatening abandonment.

"I'll leave you.", "I'll put you aside.", "You'll wake up and never find me.",
"I'll just disappear".

This will cause a child to have abandonment issues.

Fearing that people they love will leave them because of who they are.

When a child grows up this belief will be unconsciously ingrained in their mind.

They'll be unable to trust future relationships for fear of them leaving.

And, eight.

Empty promises.

"If you do this, I'll buy you that.", or "I'll take you there next time."

but then they don't do it. (that happens to almost everyone)

When a parent makes promises that they don't keep, it breaks the child's trust.

It makes the child feel betrayed.

Making fake promises is an excellent way to teach a child how not to trust others
in life.

To conclude, even though words aren't physically harmful,

they can be extremely harmful to the psyche and emotional well-being.

Childhood is an essential chapter in every human's life.

Our childhood builds our personalities, behaviors, and beliefs.

Have you experienced any of these forms of abuse?

How do you feel about them?

Parents or future parents can also be more mindful about how they talk to their
children.