When kids say “I’m stupid”: How to rebuild confidence and self-esteem

As a parent, it’s heartbreaking to hear your child say “I’m stupid.” Whether it comes after a tough day at school, a frustrating homework session, or a comment that hit the wrong nerve, that feeling can really stick. Dr. Kristin Carothers joins us to unpack where this kind of negative self-talk comes from. What’s happening beneath the surface? And how can adults respond in ways that build confidence — not pressure? For more on this topic Opportunity Gap: Supporting confidence in kids How to rebuild self-esteem in the new school year What to say when kids are hard on themselves Timestamps (02:50) How parents can respond to negative self-talk (06:08) What not to say to your child (14:30) Modeling positive affirmations at home For a transcript and more resources, visit the In It show page on Understood.org. We love hearing from our listeners! Understood.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering people with learning and thinking differences, like ADHD and dyslexia. If you want to help us continue this work, donate at understood.org/give Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company.