In this solo episode, I reflect on a question that stopped me in my tracks: Why am I not worthy of my own love? Inspired by the passing of James Van Der Beek and a clip that deeply moved me, this conversation opens up a bigger discussion about self-love, self-worth, and how both begin taking shape in childhood.

As a pediatrician and mom, I share why helping our children build a strong sense of worth may be one of the most important things we ever do. We talk about how unconditional love, emotional validation, secure attachment, and the way we speak to our kids, and ourselves, all shape the inner voice they carry for life. I also explore how comparison, shame, performance-based praise, and dismissed emotions can quietly chip away at self-worth over time.

What I discuss:

Why self-love and self-worth begin forming in childhood
How unconditional love helps children feel secure and worthy
The link between secure attachment and lifelong self-worth
Why tying worth to grades, behavior, or achievement can backfire
How dismissed emotions can shape a child’s inner voice
The harm of comparison, and what to say instead
Why kids learn self-love by watching how we treat ourselves
Small ways parents can model self-compassion at home
How the way we speak to our children becomes the way they speak to themselves

00:00 Intro, The Inner Voice Kids Carry for Life 01:16 The James Van Der Beek Question That Sparked This Episode 04:43 Why Self-Love Shapes a Child’s Whole Life 08:06 How Self-Worth Gets Chipped Away in Childhood 09:58 Unconditional Love and Secure Attachment Build Self-Worth 11:54 Why Kids Should Not Tie Their Worth to Achievement 13:17 Emotional Validation, Comparison, and Protecting a Child’s Sense of Self 15:45 How Kids Learn Self-Love by Watching Us

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