12 Video Views·Mar 16, 2025
Words have power—especially when they come from parents. Some phrases may seem harmless, but they can leave lasting emotional scars and impact a child’s self-esteem, confidence, and mental health.
When we first started Psych2Go, we realized just how much toxic parenting phrases affected people, and this video became one of our most impactful. Now, we want to bring this conversation back into the mainstream, so more people can recognize and heal from these experiences.
In this video, we’ll go over 10 toxic things parents say and how these words can shape a child’s mindset, even into adulthood. Recognizing these patterns is the first step toward healing and breaking the cycle.
🔹 In this video, we cover:
Toxic parenting phrases that leave emotional scars
Hurtful things parents say without realizing the damage
Signs of toxic parents and their impact on mental health
Negative effects of parental criticism on self-esteem
Parenting mistakes to avoid to break the cycle
Emotional abuse by parents and how to heal
👉 Have you ever heard any of these phrases growing up? Let’s talk in the comments!
🎥 Special thanks to our partners for making this project happen!
🔔 Like, subscribe, and turn on notifications for more psychology and mental health content!
The team behind this project:
Story Architect – Psych2Go (Script)
Narrative Director – Kelly Soong (Script Manager)
Voice of Insight – Amanda Silvera (Voice Over)
Visual Storytellers – Turutangi Studio (Animation)
Animation Supervisor– Cindy Cheong (YouTube Manager)
Suggest topics here: https://forms.gle/JTZWt1FVx7SZtgq96
For the sources, reach out to us at tu@Psychgonet
Suggested video to watch: https://youtu.be/NL3xgn81Y2M?si=6Amq-rHJSIu7BzND
hey psyo fans we hope you enjoy this
video parents are supposed to be the
ones you can depend on during down times
and look to for guidance unfortunately
many parents say emotionally harmful
things that can have a lasting negative
psychological effect this isn't an
out-of-date phenomenon just 10 years ago
the number of children living in such an
environment was approximately 55,000 as
noted by the program prevent child abuse
America considering that young people
have nothing to compare their treatment
with they often think that this toxic
behavior is normal or even expected the
alarming conclusion is that they can't
ask for help because damage sets in if
they don't realize it's needed in this
followup to our eight toxic things
parents say we explore some more things
to look out for if you think your
parents are toxic ever hear the phrase
don't take it personally well this time
those insults are very personal and it's
from the parents the first video in this
series details a few of these personal
attacks yet there are so many more types
some more of these hurtful and offensive
words
include one you look terrible you know
that phrase a face only a mother could
love it means that parents should be
supportive of your appearance so when a
child is image shamed by them insecurity
Skyrocket the open possibilities of what
this statement means explode in the
child's mind and could lead to Core Body
issues in the
future two you're a freak say M this
gives the message that they are not only
ill-fitting to the world in general but
unaccepted so it also implies that
there's something wrong with who they
are as a person and they have no choice
but to be negatively abnormal in some
way three you're so immature if this was
the response you received from a parent
after requesting something or
participating in a discussion with a
parent what's the emotion you read or
felt behind that phrase is it disgust is
it ridiculed
is it shame this implies that the child
is wrong or off like they're undeveloped
and inferior no one has the right to
shame you for your likes dislikes or
non-harmful actions there are also many
instances of parents using words of
neglect which are another form of toxic
comments such as for I'm going to send
you to boarding school how many times
has it been shown in movies or shows
where a parent or stepparent says this
answer far too many sadly this is the
case of art imitating life yes parents
do say these things to their actual
children saying that they're going to
send you away communicates that they
don't love you enough to want you around
and they don't want to guide you or
raise you five once you're 18 I'm
kicking you out reaching the age of
majority which is most common at 18
technically marks the legal beginnings
of adulthood so when a parent says this
it gives rise to feelings of guilt the
almost adult often feels like they're a
burden and that maybe things would be
better for the family if they left there
are also manipulative comments which are
also toxic manipulation is defined as
exerting shrewd or devious influence
especially for one's own Advantage some
examples are six this is your
fault a parent placing blame on their
child and acting victimized causes the
child to feel like a burden or even a
curse this can lead to them going to
Great Lengths to to avoid being a
so-called problem maybe even enslaving
themselves to maintain
acceptance seven show me some respect
it's certainly important for people to
give respect where it's due however
there are limits if a parent or Elder
are toxic being commanded to respect
such Behavior just because they're older
is confusing this also sends a message
that once you get to a certain age it's
okay to behave in a disreputable or
unethical manner because people should
respect you no matter what just because
you're older the adult in this case is
betting on the youth unquestioningly
being respectful without need for a
reason allowing the adult full control
critical thinking and questioning can
help the child out of this if they have
proper
guidance other toxic comments come in
the form of controlling words such as
eight do what I say or else this is an
outright threat this dismisses the
child's independent needs and desires
leaving them feeling Unworthy of
anything other than following the
parents
whims this brings us now to criticism
and not the constructive kind overly
critical statements about skills or
abilities are common and detrimental
statements like nine you are terrible at
sports one can substitute the word
sports for any hobby or activity taken
up by the child this makes the child
self-conscious about their skills which
can turn to anxiet
degrading performance further and
eventually even replacing the
association of enjoyment of the activity
with tension and
fear which brings us to 10 you're the
worst
student even though many of us tend to
be aware that there is always someone
better than us it's quite the downer to
hear from our parents the implications
that there's no one worse than us these
types of remarks can feel like a
confirmation of the receiver's negative
self- thoughts especially when we're
younger we tend to trust our parents
above all others so being confirmed by
them as the worst definitely contributes
to low self-esteem and feelings of being
generally
undeserving many of these toxic things
parents say are more than just poisonous
hot air they're also verbal abuse
wherein a pattern of behavior is used to
maintain power and control over another
therefore it's particularly important to
be aware of what qualifies as
toxic have either of your parents ever
said anything like this to you do you
know anyone whose parents frequently
speak this way if you're curious and
want to know more about toxic family
Dynamics check out our other videos
related to this subject the links are in
the description below we'll see you in
the next video and as always thanks so
much for watching