5 things therapists wish every kid knew

You never know what's going to stick in the littlest minds. "Sometimes I'll have kids tell me something their grandmother or coach said—and it might be something that the rest of us would shrug off, but for that child, it really made an impact," says Amy Morin, a therapist and author of 13 Things Strong Kids Do. That's why it's important for parents to get into the habit of repeating the nuggets of wisdom that they hope will become mantras bouncing around in their kids' minds for years to come. We asked Morin and other therapists to share the easy-to-remember gems they wish every kid knew.

- BY ANGELA HAUPT

1. “Listen to your shoulder angel.”

When Morin talks to kids, she explains that we all have a “devil” on one shoulder, telling us to do things that might feel good in the moment but aren't the best choice, and an “angel” on the other, telling us to do the right thing. “Those are the two voices you hear in your head when Mom says, ‘Don’t eat the cookie,’ and the little devil says, ‘No, grab it,’ and your shoulder angel's saying, ‘No, you really shouldn't,’” she says. “You have the power to decide which one you're going to listen to.”

That memorable image can communicate a valuable lesson about how good it feels to be able to make a positive choice, which in turn can boost kids’ confidence and independence.

2. “Mean people are just showing how they feel about themselves.”