1. Labels Become Identity Kids internalize what they hear. “You’re lazy” becomes “I am lazy.” 2. It Wires the Brain Repeated messages shape how kids see themselves through brain development (neuroplasticity). 3. It Damages Connection Name-calling causes shame, which makes kids feel unloved and unsafe to open up. 4. It Reinforces the Problem Labels often create the very behavior they criticize—like a self-fulfilling prophecy. 5. It Blocks Growth Labels say, “This is who you are.” Kids need to hea

“Because internalizers look within themselves for reasons why things go wrong, they may not always recognize abuse for what it is. If parents don’t label their own behavior as abusive, their child won’t label it that way either. Even as adults, many people have no idea that what happened to them in childhood was abusive. As a result, they may not recognize abusive behavior in their adult relationships.” -Lindsay C. Gibson ••• Take the Adult Children Of Emotionally Immature Course with Dr. Lindsa