1. Constant belittling or demeaning remarks:
This includes using derogatory language or consistently criticizing the child, which can erode their self-esteem and self-worth.
2. Ignoring or dismissing a child's emotional needs:
Failing to acknowledge or address a child's emotional needs can lead to feelings of neglect and emotional abandonment.
3. Withholding love, affection, or attention as a form of punishment:
Using love and affection as a bargaining tool or withholding them as a means of discipline can harm a child's emotional well-being.
4. Using threats or intimidation to control the child:
Threatening a child with physical harm or emotional consequences can create a climate of fear and anxiety.
5. Gaslighting - manipulating the child's perception of reality:
Gaslighting involves distorting the truth and making the child doubt their own perceptions, causing confusion and emotional distress.
6. Isolating the child from friends and family:
Isolation can be a tactic to control a child's social interactions, making them more vulnerable to emotional abuse.
7. Excessive criticism or humiliation, either privately or in front of others:
Criticizing a child excessively, especially in front of others, can have a severe impact on their self-esteem and mental well-being.
8. Blaming the child for the parent's emotional state:
Holding the child responsible for the parent's emotional state places an unfair burden on the child and can cause them significant distress.
9. Setting unrealistic expectations and punishing the child for not meeting them:
Unrealistic expectations can lead to constant disappointment for the child, leading to feelings of inadequacy.
10. Using sarcasm or mockery to undermine the child's self-esteem:
Sarcastic or mocking comments can erode a child's confidence and self-worth over time.
