A Warning About Speaking to Children and the Vulnerable
A Warning About Speaking to Children and the Vulnerable One of the most sacred responsibilities we hold as human beings is the way we speak to children and vulnerable individuals—those who are still forming their sense of self, or who are in a position of dependence, sensitivity, or emotional fragility. Words spoken to children are not just heard—they are absorbed, internalized, and believed. Where an adult might hear criticism and filter it through reason, experience, or emotional boundaries, a child accepts your words as truth—especially if they come from a parent, teacher, religious leader, or anyone seen as an authority. To a child, your tone is not just sound—it is the voice of reality. Your praise becomes their confidence. Your criticism becomes their shame. Your encouragement becomes their belief in possibility. Your insults become who they think they are. If you call a child stupid, they will believe they are stupid. If you tell them they are worthless, they will carry that wei...