When your child feels like a failure, even your most loving words can start to feel as though they are not landing. You may find yoursefl repeating reassurance, trying to soften the harshness, and quietly wondering why nothing you say seems to help.

In this conversation, Amy Smythe and family therapist Denise Bevan explore what is happening beneath the surace when children speak about themselves with criticism or shame. We look at why some children experience kind or positive words as untrue or uncomfortable, while harsh self-talk can feel more honest or protective.

We reflect on how children gradually learn that thoughts are not the same as face, and why this awareness can come and go, especially during times of stress, pressure or change. The episode also explores the word yet and why it can create hope for some children but feel overwhelming or dismissive for others.

This is not an episode about fixing your child or convincing them to think differently. It is about slowing down, attuning to what your child may be protecting, and notcing what creates space rather than pressure. If your child's view of themselves feels persistent and painful, seeking support from a trusted professional can be a helpful next step. What is offered here are gentle reflections, not solutions.