Avoid turning your child’s name into a bad word by not associating it with bad things.
This is subtle and seems like a small issue.
But it’s not. This is huge.
The principle of association – coupled with purposeful repetition – can move a mental mountain.
See, if you often lower your tone and irritatingly say your child’s name in discipline or frustration, this connotation will stick.
It sticks in the same way that it would stick if I called you “Lazy Larry” in front of everyone at work for a year or two.
Eventually people would see you as lazy.
Let’s avoid this.
Let’s build up our kids, not accidently tear them down.
Understand: These concepts are some of the core principles of persuasion.
You Caution. Don’t use your child’s name as your one-word statement. When a child hears a disapproving, “Susie,” many times during the day, she begins to associate her name with disapproval.
-Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (Amazon)
