S4E13 - How Do My Words Shape My Child's Self-Esteem?

Play Therapy Parenting: Real Parenting Questions Answered by a Child Therapist · Sep 3, 2026 · 13m · transcript

In this episode, I answer a collection of parent questions around one central concern: what do we do when a child seems to be struggling with who they are? I talk about signs that can point to a shaky sense of identity, including anxiety, negative self-talk, constantly changing how they present socially, and difficulty believing in their own competence. I introduce the concept of the "looking glass self" and explain how children gradually form beliefs about themselves based on what is reflected back to them by the people around them.

I also explain why both criticism and excessive praise can…