It takes at least a thousand strokes to replace one harrowing voice from the past. Anyone raising anyone else in this world needs to remember how hurtful that ordinary comments are to a young developing person. If that young person moves on to accomplish great things in life, a voice in their head still remains that a parent said something idiotic in the past.
Just as I was impassioned toward the ballet during adolescence some decades ago, my mother wanted to set me straight about my failings with, “Well, the reason that you have to work so hard, Sue, is because you have no talent.” That would be quoted with musical notes for emphasis. Some mothers should be declared incompetent for the job!
