Child Quote by Susan Forward
““When a child is not permitted to express her pain, one of the important, destructive messages she gets is that if she is feeling bad it is due to her own deficiencies. Coupled with this is likely the message that if she needs comfort, then she is ugly and repulsive to others.””
About This Quote
Source Book: "Toxic Parents", 1992
Silencing a child's pain teaches self‑blame and feelings of ugliness, harming self‑esteem.
In simple terms: Silencing child pain leads to self‑blame and low self‑esteem.
Key Takeaway
Validate children's emotions.
Themes
parenting
psychology
emotional health
Mood
concerned
empathetic
Type
psychological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- parenting workshops
- school counseling
- support groups
Key Concepts
mental health
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can parents safely discuss a child's pain?
- What signs indicate a child is internalizing blame?
A Different Perspective
Parents may fear confronting painful topics.
