As kids, it was not uncommon to find ourselves in some sort of an argument with our parents, only to find ourselves giving in after they’d say something that’d leave us at a loss of rebuttals. The expressions they used may have annoyed us at that time, but time proved them to be not only accurate, but invaluable life lessons for children. Now all grown up and becoming parents ourselves, we often find ourselves turning to those very expressions for help as we try to raise our kids into healthy and happy adults.

"Money doesn't grow on trees you know."

You may have hated this expression when your parents used it on you, but now you probably find yourself telling the very same thing to your young ones. Money indeed doesn’t grow on trees and it’s one of the many things to teach children. You need to tell them about the value of money and how one has to work hard to earn it. Help them realize the importance of properly money management so that they’d learn to do the same with their money.

"If so and so jumped off a bridge, would you jump off a bridge?"

Nobody would jump off a bridge when they see someone else do it, unless they’re jumping in to help them. You need to make your child understand that just because others are doing something doesn’t make it safe or acceptable. Tell them that you won’t accept this as an excuse as you’re only concerned with them and their safety. This little talk can serve to build resistance to peer pressure, particularly negative one, in them and also encourage them to make smarter decisions.

"You brought this on yourself."

This may sound harsh, especially when your child is in trouble or having a rough time, but you need to make them realize that every action has consequences, be it good or bad. Before doing anything, they need to take the impact of their actions into consideration. Getting them to understand this can instill a sense of responsibility in them and discourage them from taking impulsive or rash decisions.

"This hurts me more than it hurts you."

There are times when you need to be firm with your kids and even punish them. This can send off a very wrong message to them. Therefore, you’ve got to make them realize that you’re not their enemy. Help them understand that you care about them and their future, which is why you sometimes have to do things that they hurt them. Remind your kids about this fact from time to time to maintain and foster the trust that exists in the relationship.

"There are starving people in Africa who would gladly eat your dinner!"

Kids can often be fussy about food. While this is common, it’s not something that you should allow to continue. Teach them to be grateful for what they’re getting to eat by telling them of the sorry conditions in some African counties, where starvation is a pandemic. Once children learn to appreciate what they have, they’re likely to become less fussy and more satisfied and consequently happy with their lives.

There are numerous other expressions that your parents may have used on you to help you become the person that you are today. You need to pass on these expressions and hence the life lessons on to the next generation so they too can benefit from it the way you did years ago.