Casey Smith warns that emotionally immature parenting, characterized by superficial criticism of others, can negatively affect children's self-image. She reflects on her own painful experiences growing up with parents who were critical of her and others, leading her to internalize these judgments. Smith noticed that this environment fostered her own critical behavior as a coping mechanism, ultimately resulting in insecurity, perfectionism, and a longing for acceptance. Her reflections highlight the importance of being mindful of the messages we convey to children, as these can shape their perceptions of themselves and their world.
"Emotionally immature parents are egocentric and tend to focus on very superficial values like appearances and achievements as a way ... of coping with their own insecurities and emotional limitations."
"Growing up in that kind of environment I think causes us to internalize a lot of this criticism and to interpret our parents' attitude as a reflection of how they secretly or not so secretly view us."
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