Just to add to your submission @abenike, apart from parents watching their tongue in the upbringing of their children, they need to also watch the tongue of their friends and neighbours who have close relationships with their family.

Already you told us about the power of words.

Many times our visiting friends and neighbours ignorantly throw abusive and derogatory words at our kids and parents just sit there and watch especially in this part of the world. This isn't too good in my opinion.

Just yesterday, a close friend of our family visited. Jokingly but ignorantly, he tagged our first child "stubborn" but my wife quickly responded that the thirdler is not stubborn, he's just living out his age. She went ahead to reassure the young chap that he was not stubborn but gentle and intelligent.

If our communities must become a better place, we must change our attitude in this regard. If our children must become the leaders of tomorrow, we must change our attitudes in this regard.

We must not be shy or reluctant to correct our close relations and cancel derogatory words with positive ones each time they cross the line.

As much as we can, we must enrol our kids in good schools where we are sure only positive words will be spoken to them.

These kids are tender in age and in heart. They must not be fed with jargon or shattered emotionally with unhealthy words.

Positive words must be employed in encouraging and bringing out the best in them.

Who ever knew that a world renowned neurosurgeon would emerge in Ben Carson?

Who ever knew he could one day aspire to be president of the United States?

The positive words of a good mother made those great potentials see the light of the day.

#parenting #children #womenofsteemit #nigeria