A new study has revealed that simple phrases that parents use with kids like, 'You naughty girl,' 'Don't be stupid,' to describe their behaviour, could do them more harm than good in the future.

These commonly used phrases may be bad for their self-esteem as they start associating themselves with these labels. Psychologists suggest that parents need to address the underlying problem and come up with a solution for it.

Parents should avoid using 'How many times have I told you' and instead engage with them and ask how they can get their child to effectively understand the message. Since children's actions are not directed with a sense of obligation to the parent, they should help them in understanding the effect of their actions.

Other phrases like 'Wait until you're home' can create tension and lead to the child feeling scared and insecure. They also suggest that even though statements like, 'You make mummy very happy when you eat all your dinner', 'If you complete your homework, I will take you for a movie' may sound positive, it makes them associate hard work with reward, praise and attention. This, in turn, leads them to become people pleasers in life.

BDST: 1920 HRS, NOV- 16, 2015
Edited by:  Sharmina Islam, Lifestyle Editor