11 things parents say that ruin their kids’ trust

Kids know exactly how far they can push their parents, and are extremely aware when a parent has lost control and begins making impossible ultimatums.

Threatening to ground a child for life is kid-code for “never going to happen” and a sure sign that you can’t always be taken at your word.

Instead, to communicate a firm boundary, use a consequence you can actually enforce – ideally something that matters to your child that can actually be carried out.

For a teen, this might be taking away a smartphone or changing the password for wireless internet access.

Follow through with the consequence so it’s not an empty threat.

Children need to trust that their parent means what they say.

Rather than making threats of any kind in the first place – even if you have no intention of following through on them, it’s better to talk to children as people, and both listen to and consider their side of the story.

Mutual respect between parent and child go a long way toward maintaining trust.

“It’s important that parents are aware that it’s not only what they say but how they say things to their children or teens that can make or break trust,” says Jeffrey Bernstein, PhD, and author of 10 Days to a Less Defiant Child.

“Aggressive tone and body language can leave children and teens feeling less willing to confide in their parents.”

When parents sense that their position of authority in their child’s life is not being respected, it can often lead to their using other authority figures to strengthen their own faltering position.

Telling your child that you’re going to share personal information with their teacher is one way to break the sense of trust that your child has in you as a safe person.

Home needs to be a safe and private place for a child; it’s considered entirely separate from school.

Instead of making false threats of sharing personal things that should stay between the four walls of home, such as reluctance to help clean up or refusal to complete homework, try giving your child a choice between two things that you support.

For example, if your child is balking at homework, you might offer them the choice between working on it before or after dinner.

Giving a child a bit of power over their own time can yield positive benefits in compliance.

Using language that globalises behaviour can backfire.

It reinforces an “us verses them” attitude between parents and children that isolates kids from the very people they need the most, their parents.

Children need to see that their parents are aware of their strengths as well as their weaknesses, and are willing to look at specific incidents individually instead of dredging up a long history of wrongdoing.

Strive to focus your attention on the present situation.

If a behaviour continues to be an issue, using “we” statements are more beneficial than “you”.

For example, if a child repeatedly leaves his or her toys throughout the living room, a parent might exclaim, “Wow, we seem to be having trouble remembering to pick up after ourselves. Let’s try to pick these up together, and hope that next time we remember to clean up when we’re finished playing.”

Children who feel that their parents are on their team are motivated to strive to impress them in the future.

After an incident of poor behaviour, some parents will demand that the child confess the deed to someone else afterward, in an effort to shame the child into repentance, or discourage future undesirable behaviour.

Not only is this a certain way to embarrass, shame and hurt your child, it’s also a way to make sure they no longer trust you as someone safe to handle their emotions.

As a parent, you have the distinct privilege (though it might not always feel this way) of having a front row seat to your child’s emotional and social growth.

This includes witnessing the many mistakes that are a natural part of growth, and that will provide the learning opportunities needed to become a functioning adult.

Children want to please parents inherently, and will work very hard to do so – if parents notice the positive strides they’re making.

So when you ask a child to reveal the details of a private emotional or behavioural experience they’d just as soon move on from, it easily erodes the trust they had in you to serve as a protector of their most personal moments.

When kids make mistakes, help them realise for themselves that they didn’t make a smart choice.

Offer them the grace and forgiveness they so desperately yearn for, and move on.

Keep the incident confidential, and if you share it with someone who must know (such as the other parent), do so in private, away from your child.

One of the best things about childhood is a sense of innocence and the belief that all makes sense in the world.

Children feel most secure when parents are self-assured, capable and strong adults who handle adult issues among themselves and leave children to their innocent beliefs about life.

When parents share adult-themed issues with children, it can create a sense of confusion, fear and depression for them.

“There can be a huge temptation for you to lean on your child for support if you are in conflict with the other parent, but please resist this temptation,” says Kathy Eugster, MA, registered clinical counsellor and certified play therapist.

“Even if your child seems to be coping well and seems to be happy and well adjusted, leaning on your child for support is very damaging to him or her and can lead to long-term problems.

“The message children need to see and hear,” she adds, “is that you are in control of things and know what you’re doing. Remember that they are children and you are an adult dealing with an adult problem.”

Parents instinctively try to minimise their children’s pain, whether by reassuring them that they’ll survive after a minor fall, or telling them that an injection won’t be painful.

While recovering from minor cuts and scrapes is guaranteed, feeling no pain from shots or invasive medical procedures is not.

When a parent promises a young child that an imminent shot is painless, and then it’s not – trust between parent and child is weakened.

Though parents want to spare their children the anticipation of pain, loss of trust is far more damaging in the long run.

Instead, you might say, “This will hurt a little, but it will be quick and then you’ll be all done. It’s all right to cry, I’ll be right here holding your hand. I’m so proud of you for letting the doctor keep you healthy!”

It’s demeaning.

Children want to feel important and included, even in a room full of adults.

When parents take their children seriously enough to include them in a conversation and speak to them instead of about them, it sends a clear message of respect.

While it might be tempting to make nuanced jokes at your child’s expense to other adults, it does not go unnoticed by your child.

Saying things like “she hasn’t quite figured out that I can ignore her whining all day” only builds resentment and breaks trust.

Though they might not understand the details of the interaction, they certainly comprehend the undercurrents of sarcasm or frustration.

Make every effort to include your child in respectful conversations with other adults, and avoid talking “over their heads” about them to others.

This simple act of respect for your child will go a long way towards proving that you are trustworthy.

Unrealistic promises can be just as damaging as negative threats.

A parent might feel good at the moment that he or she is able to motivate a child to meet a goal, but any feelings of pride will be diminished if they’re not able to make good on their promise.

Unless you have every intention of keeping your word, no matter how expensive, outlandish, or over-the-top, don’t make it in the first place.

Try to encourage your child with simple rewards that aren’t of a material nature, such as time spent together, the personal satisfaction you get from reaching a goal, and words of praise and affirmation.

Some parents motivate kids by posting their triumphs on a “Wall of Fame”.

If you want your child to feel safe sharing important and personal information with you, you have to make it completely safe to do so.

That means not judging or explaining how you would never have made these (read: dumb) choices.

It doesn’t mean that actions don’t have consequences – only that your child is able to come to you with issues, or when they’re in a pickle.

“It’s very important for parents to show their child appreciation for confiding or sharing things that are difficult,” Dr Bernstein says.

“Too many parents let their own anxiety lead to judgment instead of thanking their child or teen for taking taking the risk to share difficult feelings.”