Many of us have said, harsh words to our children during moments of anger. But such words have the power to inflict lasting wounds. Here’ a few ways to stop the abuse.

• If your kid makes a mistake, like spilling a glass of milk, resist verbally attacking the child by calling him or her stupid or clumsy.
• Don’t belittle your child about weight or poor grades.
• If possible, keep overly critical family members and friends at a distance. But do tell your kids daily how valued and loved they are, which will help them deal with difficult personalities. – Carolyn Denise Kemp