Julie Jay: Passing remarks to children can have a lasting effect on their self-esteem

When it comes to praising children, it’s probably best to leave things they can’t change off the list of attributes

Every passing comment to a child carries the potential for misinterpretation

“I’m too big, Mammy,” my eldest said to me as I bundled him into his car seat while simultaneously trying to distract his baby brother from the fact that he had lost a glove somewhere along the way.

I looked at Number One’s little face, his furrowed brow breaking my heart, but also confusing me, as I had no idea his height had made him self-conscious.