To the Parents who Call Their Kids Worthless
Start writing a post
Relationships

To the Parents who Call Their Kids Worthless

Don’t call the kettle black when you’ve still got paint on your hands.

24424
To the Parents who Call Their Kids Worthless
The Road to Ruin- Mackenzie Schindler

This article is hard to write. Very, very hard to write. I was raised with the love of three amazing parents who worked hard and molded me with the same work ethic and determination that they possess. They taught me I could be whatever I wanted; they taught me I was better than the ones who put me down in grade school. I was taught to never use the Lord’s name in vain and to hold my tongue when I’m frustrated. But the day my father called me worthless, it was stamped on my brain. It’s a neon sign in the distance of every goal I have in sight.

My dad didn't mean it, and I know that. It still hurts, though. Maybe when you call your kid worthless or fat or a bitch, you don’t even realize it. You're so angry that you'll forget when you're happy again. But they won't. You don’t expect it to slice through their heart like a knife through butter, but it does. A few weeks after my dad called me worthless, he was in a bad mood at work and nagging me.

I said, “Remember, you raised me to be the worthless piece of shit I am.”

“Grow up,” he said.

That’s it. He told me to grow up. But my grown father called me worthless. He has called me beautiful, smart, talented, and crazy, but in a good way. He gave me the opportunity to go to my amazing college and helped me build my truck, my dream vehicle. He showed me the beauty in snow and took me to the top of a mountain in the Black Hills. He taught me the value of a dollar. He gave me a solid work ethic and taught me how to shoot a gun. He has called me the best worker he’s ever had in his business.

But he called me worthless.

The compliments he has given me are small china figurines crushed by the ten-ton brick he dropped when he called me worthless.

Your kids will always remember something you do. If you rarely yell, they’ll never forget the first time. If you hit them, only once, the sting will never go away. If you were to call them worthless or anything of the like, they will remember that before they remember any kind compliment you gave them.

Every time they do something good, they will think about how worthless they still are. They'll help someone in need, but it won't feel good because of how "bitchy" they are. They'll make a fitness goal only to remind themselves how "fat" they are. They'll make honor roll but they will still be "dumb" in their own mind.

I love my father, and your kids love you, but love is not the same as being a friend. Many parents will say, “I’m your parent, not your friend.” Being loving toward your child is not being a friend. If they screw up, they need love. Maybe they need punishment, but don’t make it in the form of hurtful words.

Speaking poison to your children only engraves it in their minds. Physical violence toward your children never heals. Silence and emotional neglect toward your children never stops ringing in their ears. Before you wonder where your child learned how to walk down a bumpy path, first think about how you might have paved the way for them.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

57619
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

37129
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

958850
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

191535
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments