It can be harsh hearing criticism from your own children. After all, aren’t they supposed to be taking their cues from you? Aren’t you their role model?

When your children are little, you are the most important person in their life. They look up to you, depend on you. As they grow older, they grow into being their own separate individuals and start to differentiate themselves from you.

Even if you know it’s all part of raising children who can stand on their own two feet, hearing criticism from the child who once thought you were their hero can be challenging. Here are 5 lessons you can learn about handling criticism from your children.

1 – Listen to What They’re Saying

Sometimes your child’s criticism is valuable feedback on your parenting. Instead of reacting from the place of Always Right Parent, try listening to what they’re really saying. Maybe you’re not treating them in an age-appropriate way anymore. Maybe their needs have changed. Continue reading →

It can be difficult dealing with criticism from your nearest and dearest, especially when that critic is your partner. After all, they’re supposed to love you no matter what, right?

Sometimes spousal criticism can be rooted in false expectations of human nature, on either side. Everyone makes mistakes and has bad days. The problem starts when negativity and unrealistic expectations become the pattern for your relationship. Or when you start depending on your spouse’s good opinion for your own feelings of self-worth. That’s just a recipe for unhappy, for both of you.

No matter how much you love one another, there will be some degree of criticism in a relationship. To make the best of it, and maybe even help it make stronger, try these four tactics the next time your spouse offers you constructive criticism. Continue reading →