The Most Powerful Things You Can Say To Your Kids

"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" may very well go down in history as the biggest lie ever told. The fact is, our words do have power. That's never more true than when a parent speaks to a child, whether in love or anger, praise or discipline. 

Author Peggy O'Mara said, "The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice." In many ways, we decide whether that inner voice says, "I am lovable and capable" or "Why try when I'll fail anyway?" 

Parents aren't perfect people, and there will be times when we mess up and say the wrong thing. But if we can ensure that most of our daily interactions are filled with positive, encouraging, and empowering phrases, our kids will be more than OK.