i'll give you something to cry about

“i’ll give you something to cry about!”

- woah. growing up black, these words coming out of you mother’s mouth meant that you’d better stop crying soon 🤣. but, what are we instilling in our children when we say this?

black children are subconsciously taught to repress their feelings instead of talking about them or facing them. repressed feelings become anger, which, in turn, can result in adolescent depression.

parents who practice effective communication with their children are better able to foster honest and healthy relationships. children who have a parent to safely confide in are less likely to repress their emotions due to societal pressures.

the next generations of parents MUST omit sayings such as the above to stop the generational effects of dishonesty and weak parent-child relationships. these sayings can make the child believe that 1) showing emotion is a sign of weakness 2) emotions have shut off valves.

it’s okay to not be okay. 🩷